Marauders swim team travels to Markham, Ont., for the OUA championships, women’s swimmer Michelle Wang earns individual gold in the women’s 50-metre butterfly
From Feb. 7 to 9, 2025, the Marauders swim team hosted the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships in Markham, Ont. The women’s and men’s teams raced in the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, freestyle, individual medley and relay events of various distances.
Overall, the Marauders swam well, with both the men’s and women’s teams finishing third and earning a total of nine individual and relay medals. Seventeen Marauders swimmers also qualified for the U Sports championship, which the University of Toronto will host from March 4 to 8, 2025.
However, out of all the medalists, one stood out. Michelle Wang, a third-year swimmer, broke the McMaster record for the women’s 50-metre butterfly and came within three-hundredths of a second of setting a new OUA record.
Wang told The Silhouette that before her big success, she was feeling nervous going into the race.
“Since the tournament was hosted by McMaster, a bunch of our alumni were in the stands. I was also seeded first in my heat, which made it more nerve-racking,” said Wang.
Being nervous wasn’t all bad, though, as Wang explained that nerves normally help her swim faster. This was evident as she beat the McMaster record in the women’s 50-metre butterfly with a time of 26.8 seconds.
She also credited her performance to the support of her team, not just at the OUA championships but throughout the year.
“A way in which our team is different from other schools is that when we’re tired from our own races, we cheer for our teammates. We’re the loudest team at every meet,” said Wang.
A way in which our team is different from other schools is that when we’re tired from our own races, we cheer for our teammates. We’re the loudest team at every meet.
Michelle Wang, Third-Year Swimmer
Marauders Women's Swim Team
Wang has been swimming with the team since her first year at McMaster and medalled in an individual event for the first time this year. When asked about what factors contributed to her development, she attributed her improvement to gaining more experience and training at the university level.
While putting in countless hours at swim practices, Wang is also one of the co-captains of the team this year. She touched on how she has taken on this leadership role.
“The chance to give speeches before matches and hype up our teammates is really fun—I enjoy it a lot. Another big part is leading by example, such as demonstrating the work ethic required and showing up to practice,” said Wang.
Looking ahead to the U Sports competition, Wang reiterated that she just wants to enjoy the experience with her teammates and race the best she can.
“With U Sports so close, most of the work is already done. Now I just want to clean up my technique and be cognizant of the little things that may impact the race,” said Wang.
With U Sports so close, most of the work is already done. Now I just want to clean up my technique and be cognizant of the little things that may impact the race.
Michelle Wang, Third-Year Swimmer
Marauders Women's Swim Team
Following their success at the OUA championships, the Marauders will travel to Toronto to compete at the U Sports championships from March 4 to 8, 2025.
Men's and women's swim teams take home several medals, finish with the most points out of all teams
On Saturday, Jan. 17, 2025 the Marauders swim team participated in back-to-back meets at their home invitational. The Marauders came out on top, getting the most points out of all the other schools.
The day was split into two competitions. The first half was a tri-meet against the Guelph Gryphons and the Waterloo Warriors. The second was a dual meet against the Brock Badgers.
The Marauders made strong performances across the board, with a particularly notable one from first-year swimmer Brian Dietz. He competed in three races: the 200-metre men’s freestyle, 100-metre backstroke and the 400-metre individual medley, coming first, second and first, respectively. All together, Dietz took home three medals.
It was also a great start to the day for the women’s team. Much like the men's team, younger swimmers made their mark. First-year Nicole Carter came first in the 200-metre individual medley, second in the 100-metre breaststroke and third in the 50-metre breaststroke.
It was also a great start to the day for the women’s team. Much like the men's team, younger swimmers made their mark. First-year Nicole Carter came first in the 200-metre individual medley, second in the 100-metre breaststroke and third in the 50-metre breaststroke.
Her teammate, second-year student Mikaela Blake, also performed well, capturing gold and silver in the 50-metre and 100-metre backstroke, respectively.
Third-year student Michelle Wang won two golds in the women’s 50-metre butterfly and the 100-metre backstroke.
As the first half of the day came to a close, McMaster finished first overall with a combined sum of 1843 points.
As the first half of the day came to a close, McMaster finished first overall with a combined sum of 1843 points.
But it did not stop there for the Marauders. In their dual meet against the Brock Badgers, McMaster scored 2,015 points. The men contributed 989 of those points and the women contributed 1,026 points. Sara Gray, a first-year swimmer, took home three golds in the 100-metre breaststroke, 50-metre breaststroke and the 200-metre Individual Medley.
Wang also tallied up a few more medals, winning gold in the 100-metre butterfly and 50-metre freestyle and silver in the 50-metre backstroke.
This successful event was the last invitational for the Marauders swim team. Next, they will compete in the OUA championships in Markham, ON, from Feb. 7 - Feb. 9, 2025.
McMaster Aquatics has added Masters swimming classes to their roster of aquatic clubs and services
McMaster Aquatics recently began offering a Masters swimming class.
Masters swimming is for those who are looking to improve their overall swimming form and technique. Through McMaster Aquatics, certified competitive swimming coaches will work with athletes to correct their stroke and technique.
Through McMaster Aquatics, certified competitive swimming coaches will work with athletes to correct their stroke and technique.
Per the program’s page on the McMaster Athletics and Recreation website, the group is aimed at swimmers who are able to swim a straight distance of at least 100m comfortably.
These classes run for 12 weeks, running from Sept. 18 all the way until Dec. 22. A semester's worth of lessons will cost athletes $150 to participate, with lessons occurring all throughout the week.
A semester's worth of lessons will cost athletes $150 to participate, with lessons occurring all throughout the week.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, the program runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., while Tuesday classes go from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday from 8:15 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. For weekend times, the group is scheduled to meet on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sundays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
McMaster Aquatics also offers several other services and clubs. Some services include recreational swim times, National Lifeguard re-certification courses, and private lessons. Clubs that are associated with McMaster Aquatics include the Lifeguard Competitive Lifesaving Team and the Synchronized Swim Club.
For McMaster students, services such as recreational swim times are free of cost. Recreational swim times can be found on the McMaster Aquatics Instagram.
For students who want to enjoy McMaster Aquatics services without the commitment to a club, intramurals are a great option. McMaster Aquatics offers intramural innertube basketball and innertube water polo.
Isabelle: Second year, health sciences.
I: Planning for university in Grade 11, I wasn’t sure whether or not I was going to swim. So my initial interest in McMaster was because of the health sciences program, and it’s unique approach to interdisciplinary studies. However, as Grade 12 approached and started, I knew that I would miss the sport too much to stop before the varsity experience. The Mac swim team was one of the first recruit trips that I came on, and it was the one I remember the best because I felt at home and part of the family immediately.
I: The team has grown significantly compared to last year because quite a few first-years came in, especially on the women’s side. It’s been great to integrate them into the team, and having new training partners and a new dynamic is both refreshing and exciting as we prepare for [the Ontario University Athletics Championship]. I would say that this year, our winter break training camp in Florida was collectively viewed as the hardest training camp that the team has been through, and our hard work is starting to show in the pool as we begin to taper down and see positive results.
I: I eat at least one jar of peanut butter a week.
Their efforts in @McMasterU's dual meet with the @WlooWarriors earned Mony Tchervenelekov and Isabelle Lei the @PitaPitCanada Athlete of the Week honours this week.
READ ⬇️https://t.co/ATlPlTRB0p
— McMaster Marauders (@McMasterSports) January 23, 2019
I: Receiving OUA Rookie of the Year last season was very humbling for me, because I came in with no expectations. This second time around, there is definitely pressure for me to perform because I do not want to let the team down, but I know it all comes down to stepping on the blocks and just leaving it all in the pool. I know that my team is there for me stroke for stroke, as I will be for them. If I can finish every race knowing for a fact that I could not have gone any faster, or tried any harder, I will be satisfied, and posting personal bests would be the cherry on top.
I: I am very excited for both Ontario University Athletics and U Sports championships because the calibre of swimmers at both meets has increased, even from last year. To be able to compete with people who have international experience is an amazing, inspiring opportunity, and I would like to just go into the field and race with joy and make the team proud. I’m also swimming a couple of different races from last year, so I’m excited to reach outside my comfort zone and spice it up.
The 2019 Swimming OUA Championships will be held Feb. 7-9 at Brock University.
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