Smal Claims Gold And Bronze At AUS Championships

(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Reds captured four medals on the first day of competition at the 2020 Subway Atlantic University Sport Swimming Championships, in Halifax.

Leah Smal (Fredericton, NB) and Erik Staeben (Fredericton, NB) both won gold medals to lead the UNB effort.

Smal took top spot in the women's 50 metre backstroke, while Staeben won the men's 100 metre butterfly.

Noah Horwood (Fredericton, NB) earned a bronze medal in the men's 100 metre breaststroke, and the team of Smal, Jennifer Moore (Hamilton, ON), Alexei Sanford (New Maryland, NB), and Hannah Casey (Bedford, NS) scored bronze in the women's 400 metre freestyle relay.

"It's awesome," said Smal, of her two medal night. "I'm really grateful for the opportunity, and I'm just excited to see what the rest of the weekend holds for us."

"It feels great," said Staeben, of his AUS title. "I'm so lucky that I can represent the school and do what I love at the same time."

Dalhousie swimmers found themselves atop of the podium in seven of the 12 events on day one. Acadia won three events.

In the women's 50 metre backstroke, Smal beat Dal's Lise Cinq-Mars and Acadia's Jessica Pelletier. All three hit the U SPORTS qualifying time.

In the men's 100 metre butterfly, Staeben beat Acadia's Shane Kenny and Dal's Jacob Branchflower.

Horwood finished behind Acadia's Andre Walcott and Brett Liem in the men's 100 metre breaststroke final, while the women's relay team was third behind Dal, who set a new AUS record in the event, and Acadia.

At the end of the first day of competition, the team standings are as follows: 

Women's 

Dalhousie - 318.5

Acadia - 202

University of New Brunswick - 168

Memorial - 163

Mount Allison – 77.5 

Men's 

Acadia - 337

Dalhousie - 232 

Memorial - 142

University of New Brunswick - 101 

Mount Allison - 60

The action resumes Saturday with heats at 10:00am, while the finals start at 6:00pm.

RECAP BY: UNB Athletics and Dalhousie Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan/for Dal Athletics