Audrey Prayal-Brown is about to go through a brand new experience. She鈥檚 used to it.
She鈥檚 been a back-up goalie for the Tigers women鈥檚 soccer team, a triple jump athlete for the Tigers track and field team and a rugby player. Now she鈥檚 going to compete in the Subway Atlantic University Sport (AUS) swimming championships, which will be hosted at AV俱乐部 from February 10-12.
Read also: Tigers to watch
鈥淚t鈥檚 an overwhelming feeling,鈥� says Ms. Prayal-Brown, a first-year kinesiology master鈥檚 student. 鈥淚鈥檓 still letting it sink in.鈥�
A stellar season
The men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 swimming teams are poised for another spectacular season. With many athletes breaking school records, qualifying for Olympic trials and leading in national rankings, the Tigers chances look great.
鈥淭his is the first time I can say it鈥檚 possible for the men to win,鈥� says David Fry, head coach of the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 swimming teams. 鈥淭his is as good as we鈥檝e ever been.鈥�
The Tigers men are one of the top teams in Canada, and have been ranked first in the country at several points in the year. They currently sit at fifth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) rankings. 鈥淩ight now we鈥檙e in the hunt,鈥� says Mr. Fry. 鈥淭o win a title, everything would need to go right.鈥� 聽
Before heading to nationals, the Tigers will attempt to capture the AUS title. If history is any precedent, that shouldn鈥檛 be too much of a problem: the men have won the title 13 consecutive times since 1999 and the women have won 10 consecutive titles since 2002. 鈥淚 put a positive spin on the pressure,鈥� says Mr. Fry. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about focusing on your own performance. If they swim to their capabilities, then we鈥檒l be okay.鈥�
An experienced men's team, a fresh women's squad
听听
The experience of the men鈥檚 team will guide them through their road to nationals. Fifth-year biochemistry student Bryan Fumerton broke the AUS 400m medley record and is the defending AUS champion. Fourth-year swimmer David Sharpe is the defending AUS champion in the 100m and 200m backstroke and 100m and 200m butterfly.
Kyle Watson is super excited. He鈥檚 about to go to his first nationals as a rookie on the AV俱乐部 Tigers men鈥檚 swimming team. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no other team like us in the AUS,鈥� says Mr. Watson. 鈥淒al is miles ahead of other teams because of how we train. It鈥檚 nice to know so many people here support me.鈥�
For the women, their inexperience hasn鈥檛 held them back. The Tigers women are ranked seventh in CIS rankings and 18 women have qualified for the CIS championships, the most women in the team鈥檚 history.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more than a pleasant surprise,鈥� says Mr. Fry. 鈥淎 year ago, events like the sprints were our weaknesses. We have had tremendous improvement.鈥�
The turnaround has been quick. After Terri-Lynn Benison, the 2011 AUS Female Swimmer of the Year, graduated last year, the women鈥檚 team began rebuilding. First-year students Paige Crowell and Audrey Prayal-Brown broke the school records in 50m and 100m breaststroke at the AUS Invitational and are ranked in the CIS top 10 in both categories. Second-year student Keisha Mills is ranked in the top five nationally for the 200m breaststroke.
鈥淚鈥檓 not putting pressure and expectations on myself,鈥� says Ms. Prayal-Brown. 鈥淚 trust the training program I鈥檓 going through. My background in sprinting really helps me. I鈥檓 new so I have no pressure.鈥�
Home pool advantage
Luckily for the rookies, Dal will have the home pool advantage at the Subway AUS championships. For Paige Crowell, this means another opportunity for her parents to cheer for her and another member of the family. Her sister, Madeline will be swimming beside her as part of the Mount Allison Mounties.
鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to seeing her,鈥� says Ms. Crowell. 鈥淚鈥檒l still have fun.鈥�