ESWIM Carries Momentum into a Standout Weekend at the NYAC Murray Drudge Meet

Following a highly successful AGI meet the previous weekend, ESWIM swimmers went back-to-back once again, with over 100 athletes travelling north to the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre for the NYAC Murray Drudge Meet, eager to build on their growing momentum.

ESWIM fielded its largest-ever group of 10 & under swimmers, who went on to dominate their age group throughout the weekend. From the opening Friday morning session, the standard was set high as swimmers raced with intent, aiming to qualify for finals.

Friday night finals for the 13 & over swimmers produced several outstanding performances. Jayden Cho delivered a standout swim, claiming gold in the 50 breaststroke with a lifetime best, breaking the 31-second barrier for the first time. Erin Thai followed with an excellent personal best in the 200 breaststroke to secure a silver medal. Notably, every ESWIM swimmer who qualified for finals improved on their morning swims- a critical racing skill that remains a major focus within the program.

The day also had a festive flair, with swimmers and coaches embracing the holiday spirit. Fun hats, decorations, and standout festive leggings - worn proudly by Coaches Felixe and Bianca - added to the positive team atmosphere.

In the 12 & under session, first-place finishes were recorded by Alice Boldyrev, Quentin Hojilla, Nathan Tian, Chloe Huang, and Ellie Bezanson, alongside numerous additional podium performances.

Day two saw the momentum continue. In finals, Dahlia Sabry executed an intelligent and composed 200 butterfly, smashing a significant personal best and earning the gold medal. The 12 & under session again delivered exceptional results, with first-place finishes from Nathan Tian, Alice Boldyrev, Zied Mestri, and Chloe Huang.

The final day’s 13 & over finals proved to be one of the strongest sessions of the meet. Several 13-year-old swimmers made their first finals appearances outside of the Olympium - an important developmental milestone. Chenxi Bai showcased outstanding underwater skills to win gold in the 100 butterfly, recording his first swim under 59 seconds. Mateja Bauk mirrored that technical excellence, earning silver and breaking 58 seconds in the 100 butterfly in the 17-year-old age group, highlighting how the club’s emphasis on high-level skills is translating into results.

The junior afternoon session brought tremendous energy, with an exciting atmosphere in the stands. First-place finishes went to Alice Boldyrev, Chloe Huang, and Ellie Bezanson, rounding out a strong final day.

Overall, it was another hugely successful weekend for ESWIM, finishing 4th out of 20 teams - a clear reflection of the club’s continued progress in skill development and competitive execution. The meet also provided an excellent opportunity for athletes to experience firsthand how proper activation, nutrition, recovery, stretching, and rest contribute to maintaining performance across a demanding multi-day competition.

Special congratulations go to Chloe Huang, who was awarded Top Girl in the 10 & under age group, and Alice Boldyrev, who earned Top Girl honours in the 11–12 age group. Nathan Tian narrowly missed the top spot to finish 2nd overall in the 10 & under Top Point Scorer standings, an outstanding achievement in a highly competitive field.