KAMLOOPS – For the second time in program history a member of the Thompson Rivers WolfPack swim team will battle it out with the best swimmers in the nation this weekend.
 
LIVE STREAM | MEET SCHEDULE
 
Fourth-year swimmer Matthew Gauthier from Sylvan Lake, AB will head to Laval, QC to compete at the 2022 U SPORTS National Championship from March 24-26.
 
"I'm very excited to go to U SPORTS, it's the first time I've qualified in my four years at the university level," said Gauthier. "It's something that I've prepared all year for."
 
Participating in the 50- and 100-metre breaststroke races as well as the 50-metre butterfly and the 50- and 100-metre freestyles, Gauthier will become the second member of the 'Pack to compete at nationals after Ryley McRae did so in 2019.
 
The breaststroke specialist has already set some WolfPack history this season after an outstanding showing at the conference championship. Gauthier finished fourth in the 50-metre breaststroke, less than a second away from a medal in a time of 28.30, to record the best-ever individual finish at the Canada West Championship in program history. Gauthier also recorded marks of ninth in the 100-metre breaststroke and 11th in the 200-metre.
 
"That finish gives me a lot of confidence going into U SPORTS," said Gauthier. "Canada West was a great meet for me but even since then I've put up faster times that have me ranked in the top ten in Canada, so I'm excited to see how it all turns out at U SPORTS."
 
Currently, Gauthier the ninth-fastest time of any Canadian swimmer this season in the 50-metre breaststroke with a mark of 28.15 set in December.
 
While being the only member of the team to compete at nationals has the possibility of being an overwhelming experience, Gauthier is looking at being the lone member of the 'Pack in Laval this weekend as a unique opportunity.
 
"It's a little nerve-wracking being the only swimmer from my team going there, but it's also exciting in the sense that I get to represent TRU at such a big competition," said Gauthier.
 
While Gauthier is already making some WolfPack history just by competing at nationals, he is also making it clear that his intention is to bring a first-ever U SPORTS medal back to Kamloops.
 
"This whole year I've had really high expectations on myself and have put a lot of pressure on myself, so I'm really hoping to podium in either the 50- or 100-metre breaststroke," said Gauthier. "If I can't do that then definitely, I'm aiming to make the 'A' final in both."
 
GAUTHIER ENTRIES
 
Thursday, March 24
M 100-m Breaststroke
 
Friday, March 25
M 50-m Freestyle
M 50-m Butterfly
 
Saturday, March 26
M 50-m Breaststroke
M 100-m Freestyle