Dalhousie leads after Day 1 of 2026 Bell AUS Swimming Championships

(St. John's, N.L.) The Dalhousie Tigers sit atop both the women's and men's standings following Day 1 of the 2026 Bell AUS Swimming Championships at The Works Aquarena in St. John's, N.L.

After Friday night's finals, Dalhousie leads the women's team standings with 332 points, followed by Mount Allison (202), UNB (188) and host Memorial (172).

On the men's side, the Tigers also hold the lead with 332 points, ahead of UNB (268), Mount Allison (162) and Memorial (116).

Tigers set the pace

Dalhousie opened the championship with a win in the women's 200-metre freestyle, where Emma Carrier Clarke captured gold and posted a U SPORTS qualifying time. The Tigers continued their strong showing in the women's breaststroke events, led by Lily MacLean's victory in the 100-metre breaststroke.

In butterfly action, Amari DeLima-Baril touched first in the women's 100-metre butterfly with a U SPORTS qualifying performance, while Nate Thompson won the men's 100-metre butterfly, also reaching the U SPORTS standard.

Dalhousie's depth was on display in the men's events, with David Harvie winning the 200-metre freestyle and Morgan Sparkes taking gold in the 400-metre individual medley.

The Tigers closed the session in dominant fashion in the relays, winning both the women's 4x100-metre freestyle relay and the men's 4x100-metre freestyle relay. The Dalhousie men's team set a new AUS record in the event.

Kingston highlights UNB performance

UNB's Blake Kingston delivered one of the night's standout swims, winning the men's 100-metre breaststroke in a U SPORTS qualifying time that broke his own AUS record.

Maxime Kenny added a victory for the REDS in the men's 50-metre backstroke with a U SPORTS qualifying performance, while Bronwyn Preece earned gold in the women's 50-metre backstroke.

UNB also claimed silver in both freestyle relays to remain within striking distance in the team standings.

Mount Allison and Memorial earn podium finishes

Mount Allison's Makayla Churchill captured silver in the women's 50-metre backstroke, while Rowan Campbell earned bronze in the men's 400-metre individual medley. The Mounties added a bronze-medal finish in the women's 4x100-metre freestyle relay.

Host Memorial saw strong performances throughout the evening. Polina Konstantinova earned bronze in the women's 100-metre breaststroke, while Jordan LeRoy claimed bronze in the women's 400-metre individual medley. The Sea-Hawks also secured third-place finishes in both the women's and men's freestyle relays.

With two days of competition remaining, the Tigers hold the early advantage, but tight races and valuable relay points set the stage for an exciting weekend of championship swimming in St. John's.