Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of collegiate swimming, where records are shattered and rivalries run deep! On Day 2 of the Canada West Championships, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds didn’t just compete—they dominated, leaving their rivals in the wake of their record-breaking performances. But here’s where it gets controversial: is UBC’s dominance a testament to their unparalleled training, or are they simply outspending their competition? Let’s dive into the details.
The championships, held from November 28-30, 2025, in Lethbridge, Alberta, showcased short-course meters (SCM) swimming at its finest. With live results available at https://www.winthewest.ca/swim/ and Championship Central at https://canadawest.org/sports/swim/championship, fans were treated to a spectacle of speed and endurance.
On the women’s side, Kayla Sanchez emerged as the undisputed star, shattering her own Canadian West record in the 50 freestyle with a blistering 23.90—nearly a second and a half ahead of the field. But this is the part most people miss: her performance wasn’t just about speed; it was a masterclass in technique and mental fortitude. Meanwhile, Calgary’s Alexanne Lepage dominated the 400 IM, securing a seven-second victory in 4:41.05, leaving Sarah Haugen in her wake with a 4:48.54 finish.
UBC’s women continued their momentum with a stunning 1-2-3-4 sweep in the 100 fly, led by Sela Wist (1:00.00), Benya Mattig (1:00.65), Brooklyn Weins (1:00.66), and Rose Garcia (1:01.26). Bridget Burton then delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the 200 back, finishing nearly five seconds ahead of the competition with a time of 2:06.75. Sanchez wasn’t done yet, though—she added another victory in the 200 free, clocking 1:55.49, and anchored UBC’s 400 free relay to a new Canada West record of 3:36.54.
Now, let’s talk about the men’s side, where Yuri Kisil mirrored Sanchez’s brilliance. Kisil not only won the 50 free but obliterated his own 2017 record, touching the wall in 21.50—a full 1.12 seconds ahead of the field. Aiden Kirk and Jaques Harrison led a UBC 1-2 finish in the 400 IM, with Kirk’s 4:14.69 edging out Harrison’s 4:15.96. Calgary’s Nicholas Duncan, however, stole the show in the 100 fly, clocking a lone sub-52 time of 51.93.
And this is where it gets even more intriguing: in the 100 breast, UBC’s Justice Migneault and Calgary’s Nicholas Duncan were separated by just one-hundredth of a second, with Migneault claiming victory in 59.62. The 200 free was equally nail-biting, as UBC’s Paul Hebrard (1:47.92) narrowly outpaced teammate Jake Gaunt (1:48.15). The Thunderbird men closed the day with a bang, setting a new Canada West record in the 400 free relay with a time of 3:14.90.
Team scores after Day 2? UBC leads both the men’s (719.5) and women’s (707.5) competitions, with Calgary trailing behind. But here’s the question: can anyone stop UBC’s juggernaut, or will they continue to rewrite the record books? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is UBC’s success a product of superior talent, or is there more to the story?
