Janet Gamble and Eric Beaton of the UPEI Panthers met qualifying standards for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport swim championships during the Canada Cup competition in Etobicoke, Ont., on the weekend.
For their efforts, Gamble and Beaton were named UPEI Wave athletes of the week on Monday.
Gamble, who has been outstanding all season, achieved her goals of qualifying for the CIS championships in the 100 freestyle, 50 freestyle, 50 butterfly and 50-metre backstroke.
She finished 12th overall in the 50 freestyle and swam a qualifying time for the Olympic trials as well as swam a liftime best and set a provincial record.
She broke UPEI records in all events.
Gamble is a fifth-year foods and nutrient student originally from Saskatoon now living in Stratford.
Beaton, a fourth-year business student, went to Etobicoke with one major goal and that was to swim a CIS championship qualifying time in the 50 freestyle and he accomplished that during the heats in addition to qualifying for the Olympic trials for the event.
In the finals, he finished 10th in the 50 freestyle and had a personal-best time and set UPEI and provincial records in the 100 freestyle.
Beaton is originally from Charlottetown but now calls New Glasgow, N.S., home.
“Janet and Eric were right on schedule with their results this weekend,” said UPEI head coach William Calhoun. “We had a plan going into the year and getting the CIS times by this weekend accomplished was a huge part of the puzzle. Qualifying for Olympic trials is a great accomplishment for both swimmers.
“I am very proud of both of them and look forward to seeing a UPEI cap on the blocks at the Olympic trials. Both athletes continue to impress me with their preparation and determination to excel. The whole team now has two months of hard training ahead of them to prepare for Atlantic University Sport and CIS championships.”
The AUS championships are Feb. 10 to 12 in Halifax and the CIS championships are Feb. 23-25 in Montreal.
UPEI will host an AUS meet Jan. 21 to 22.
