The McMaster Marauders swimming teams are set to compete this weekend in the OUA Championship, hosted by the Toronto Varsity Blues.
 
Taking place at Toronto's Athletic Centre Varsity Pool, competition will go from March 10-12.
 
The goal for the Marauders this year is to compete with no expectations other than to improve on their last Championship results.
 
Both the men's and women's teams are looking to continue building their teams after a challenging couple of seasons.
 
Due to Covid-19, the teams have had to start and stop their season numerous times, which has proven to be challenging, but they are looking forward to finally hitting the competition pool. Veteran Marauder Emma Schlyter knows how grateful her team is to have had a season this year and to get a championship meet.
 
"I know being able to compete is an absolute privilege and its one we were not sure we would get even a month and a half ago," said Schlyter. "I'm excited to use this opportunity for everything it can offer, and I know every other member of this team is as well."
 
Details:
McMaster Marauders @ OUA Championship
Date: Mar. 10-12
Location: Toronto Athletic Centre Varsity Pool
 
History:
In the 2020 OUA Championship, the Marauders women's swimming team earned silver medals, trailing behind the Toronto Varsity Blues. The men's team also had an outstanding performance, but fell just short of the podium.
 
Toronto has dominated the podium on both the men's and women's side for some time now, but McMaster too has a history of taking home the banner. The women's team donned the OUA title for seven years between 1992-2000. Around the same time, McMaster's men's team went on a winning streak and were awarded the Dougall Trophy every year from 1993-2000, and then again in 2003.
 
Players to Watch:
 
Erin Anderson: Anderson is a one-of-a-kind athlete who competed in her first OUA championship with the Marauders in 2020. She was an integral part to her team's success that season, pushing them to a silver medal finish with a total of 47 points collected from her impressive race times, including the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyles, as well as the 200m backstroke. She is a well-rounded swimmer, having also competed with her team to win bronze in the 400m medley relay and silver in the 800m free relay. The experienced swimmer has swum under McMaster head coach Grey Fairley for 15 years. She is talented and brings spirit to her team, and is also an incredible student, having been named a 2020-2021 Academic All Canadian.
 
Emma Schlyter: The fourth-year swimmer has previously competed in two OUA Championships in her swimming career. In the 2020 season, Schlyter earned the bronze medal in the 400m freestyle.
 
Kevork Baghdassarian: In his third year swimming with the Marauders, the North York resident has been a prominent member of his team. He has previously competed in two OUA championships and came away from the 2020 season with an OUA bronze medal in the 200m butterfly.
 
Josiah Terejko: The rookie sprinter will be competing in the 50m and 100m events in both breaststroke and freestyle. He is a dedicated and hard worker who is just beginning his promising collegiate career this weekend.