Dalhousie Sweeps Team Titles at 2026 Bell AUS Swimming Championships

(ST. JOHN'S, N.L.) Dalhousie completed a sweep of the team titles Sunday at The Works Aquarena, capturing both the women's and men's championships at the 2026 Bell AUS Swimming Championships.

The Tigers finished atop the women's standings with 1100 points, ahead of Mount Allison (636), UNB (589) and host Memorial (504).

On the men's side, Dalhousie claimed the title with 1109 points, followed by UNB (818.5), Mount Allison (467) and Memorial (384.5).

Dalhousie closed out the meet with several key victories. Mia Stein-Blumberg won the women's 200-metre butterfly in U SPORTS qualifying time, while Lily MacLean captured gold in the 50-metre breaststroke. Emma Carrier Clarke added another U SPORTS qualifying performance with her victory in the 100-metre freestyle.

Emilie Schofield earned wins in both the 200-metre backstroke and the 800-metre freestyle to cap a dominant weekend. The Tigers sealed the championship in record-setting fashion, breaking AUS records in both the women's and men's 4x100-metre medley relays.

On the men's side, Declan Nolan secured a U SPORTS qualifying victory in the 200-metre backstroke, and Morgan Sparkes captured gold in the 1500-metre freestyle. UNB's Camden Reid claimed the 200-metre butterfly title, while Matthew de Goey delivered a breakthrough performance with a U SPORTS qualifying win in the 50-metre breaststroke.

Major Award Winners

Female Community Service Award – Megan Holden (Memorial Sea-Hawks)
A fourth-year science student from Mount Pearl, N.L., Holden is a U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian whose extensive community involvement includes mental health advocacy, volunteer coaching and mentorship with Special Olympics Swimming, and numerous other initiatives supporting youth and wellness in her community.

Male Community Service Award – Liam Tweedie (Memorial Sea-Hawks)
A third-year science student from Paradise, N.L., and two-time U SPORTS Academic All-Canadian, Tweedie volunteers as a medical first responder with St. John Ambulance, coaches youth through MUN swim clinics, and supports health-focused fundraising initiatives throughout the province.

Female Rookie of the Meet – Bronwyn Preece (UNB REDS)
Preece made an immediate impact in her first AUS championship appearance, highlighted by a gold-medal performance in the 50-metre backstroke and strong contributions in relay competition.

Female Rookie of the Year – Maria McDougall (UNB REDS)
McDougall delivered a consistent championship performance, earning multiple podium finishes, including a silver medal in the 50-metre breaststroke, and contributing key points across individual and relay events.

Male Rookie of the Meet – Matthew de Goey (UNB REDS)
de Goey's standout moment came in the 50-metre breaststroke, where he captured gold in U SPORTS qualifying time in one of the meet's most competitive races.

Male Rookie of the Year – Declan Nolan (Dalhousie Tigers)
Nolan secured a U SPORTS qualifying victory in the 200-metre backstroke and played an important role in Dalhousie's relay success during the championship.

Female Swimmer of the Meet & Female Swimmer of the Year – Emma Carrier Clarke (Dalhousie Tigers)
Carrier Clarke delivered a championship-defining performance, earning gold medals in the 200-metre freestyle, 50-metre freestyle and 100-metre freestyle, while contributing to Dalhousie relay victories throughout the weekend.

Male Swimmer of the Meet – Blake Kingston (UNB REDS)
Kingston was dominant in the breaststroke events, breaking his own AUS record in the 100-metre breaststroke on Day 1 and adding victories in both the 50- and 200-metre breaststroke races.

Male Swimmer of the Year – David Harvie (Dalhousie Tigers)
Harvie anchored Dalhousie's championship effort with victories in the 200- and 400-metre freestyle, in addition to key performances in record-setting relay swims.

AUS Coach of the Year (Women's Swimming & Men's Swimming) – Lance Cansdale (Dalhousie Tigers)
Cansdale guided the Tigers to their 24th consecutive women's championship and fifth straight men's title, overseeing dominant team performances and multiple record-breaking swims across the three-day meet.

With the conference titles decided and major awards handed out, attention now turns to the national stage. AUS swimmers who achieved U SPORTS qualifying standards throughout the season and at this championship will represent the conference at the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships, taking place March 12–14. The national meet will be hosted by McMaster University at the Markham Pan Am Centre in Markham, Ont. After three days of record-setting performances and championship racing in St. John's, the conference's top athletes now shift their focus to competing against the best in the country.