Swimming — RSEQ Championships: McGill claims 2nd, 3rd Place – 19 swimmers to attend CIS nationals in March
Both swim teams took a dip over the weekend at the annual RSEQ Championships. Disappointed slightly by the teams’ results at the Quebec Cup IV, both squads rebounded, claiming second place in the women’s division and third in the men’s.
Adding to the positive results was the qualification of freshman Sami Eid for the CIS Nationals in Calgary on Feb. 21-23. Qualifying in the 200m backstroke, he became the 19th McGill swimmer to make the cut.
First-year star Katie Caldwell stole the show, lassoing three gold medals, two silvers, and a bronze, en route to swimmer-of-the-meet honours. In addition, her 200m and 400m IM swims were both McGill and RSEQ records.
Taking a much needed break from now until Nationals, McGill’s top swimmers look to make moves in Calgary. Amongst McGill’s top prospects are Stephen Bielby (200m, 400m IM), Caldwell (200m, 400m IM), and Pierre-Alexandre Renaud (200m butterfly, 400m freestyle).
BASKETBALL—MARTLETS 72, UQAM 52: Martlets hold onto top seed in RSEQ – Sylla, Charest impress
The Martlets notched another big win on Saturday to solidify their first place RSEQ ranking. This time, the UQAM Citadins played the losers, falling 72-52 in Donald Love Competition Hall.
The win moves McGill to 10-3, with three games left to play before the postseason. The team’s primary goal will be to hold onto that position into the playoffs and perhaps even take the Conference. The goal is attainable, especially if point guard Françoise Charest and rookie sensation Miriam Sylla keep up their strong play.
On Saturday alone, the pair combined for 32 points; Sylla carried the majority of the burden, with 18 points of her own. Charest has moved the ball well, over the past couple of affairs, which has created chances for McGill’s big scorers, like Sylla, or Anneth Him-Lazarenko.
McGill battles the winless Bishop’s Gaiters next Saturday, Feb. 16, in what should be an easy, yet essential, victory.
HOCKEY—MARTLETS 6, RAVENS 2: Two Games from Perfection, McGill Improves to 18-0 – Top line continues to dominant competition
It was business as usual for the dominant Martlets, who improved to a spotless 18-0 on Sunday, following a 6-2 victory against the struggling 6-12 Carleton Ravens.
Also in line with season norms was the commanding play of Mélodie Daoust. Daoust added two more goals and an assist to her CIS leading points total. With the three tallies, she climbs to 51 points over 19 contests.
Only two games remain for McGill to cap off a flawless season, with a date against division foes the Montreal Carabins on Friday, then the season finale on Saturday against Concordia. From there, the playoffs commence on the Feb. 20, culminating in the CIS Championships in Toronto on Mar. 7-10.
