McGill swimmer Grand'Maison posts unofficial world record for visually impaired

ETOBICOKE, Ont -- McGill sophomore Valerie Grand'Maison from Town of Montreal, Que., swam an unofficial world record time in the S13 division for the visually impaired at a Canada Cup Grand Prix, one of the premiere swim meets in the country, hosted by the Etobicoke Swim Club, Nov. 27-29.

Grand'Maison, one of four McGill swimmers that posted solid performances, was clocked in nine minutes, 29.86 seconds in the women's 800-metre freestyle. It surpassed her own mark of 9:34.55 established at the 2008 German Open in Berlin but was not considered to be a new world record as the meet was not sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee.

Team captain Sean Bell, a senior from Barrie, Ont., qualified for both the CIS championship and the senior nationals.  At the University Challenge Cup last Thursday, he swam a personal best time of 2:06.35 in the 200 individual medley to better the CIS championship qualification standard of 2:08.87 and the senior national standard of 2:07.40.  Then on Saturday at the Canada Cup meet, he qualified for the B-final in the men's 200 breaststroke finishing fifth in a time of 2:20.66, bettering his previous best time by four seconds and surpassing the CIS standard of 2:23.81 and the senior national standard of 2:21.35.

Sophomore Matthew Khatchadourian of Beaconsfield, also had a weekend to remember.  Besides swimming personal bests in all four of his races, he qualified for the CIS championship in two events.  On Friday he was clocked at 1:05.29 in the 100 breaststroke.  On Sunday he qualified for the semifinal in the men's 50 breaststroke while breaking the elusive 30-second barrier to hit the finish line at 29.96, which bettered  the CIS standard of 30.21.  He wound up tied for 11th in the event.

Leanne Roach, the Martlets captain from Riverview, N.B., also qualified for the CIS championships in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes, posting times of 1:14.39 and 2:38.78, respectively.

Also over the weekend, McGill swim coach Peter Carpenter was named to the seven-person board of directors for the Canadian Swim Coaches and Teachers Association.  He is the first representative from Quebec to be named to the board in over 20 years.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

McGill Athletics & Recreation

514-398-7012