Canada West’s top university swimmers are in Saanich this weekend for the Canada West swimming championships at Saanich Commonwealth Place, Nov. 24-26.APShutter.com/UVic Vikes

Canada West’s top university swimmers are in Saanich this weekend for the Canada West swimming championships at Saanich Commonwealth Place, Nov. 24-26.APShutter.com/UVic Vikes

Vikes host Canada West swimming championships at Commonwealth Place

Vikes' Eric Hedlin looks to repeat with gold medals

The Canada West fall swimming championship schedule wraps up this weekend, as the Victoria Vikes host the 2017 CW Swimming Championships at the Saanich Commonwealth Place.

The first session starts Friday at 4 p.m. with finals Friday night 5:30 to 7 p.m. The weekend ends with final heats from 3 to 5 p.m.on Sunday.

Swimmers from universities of Alberta, Calgary, Lethbridge, Manitoba, Regina, Thompson Rivers, Victoria and UBC.

The UBC Thunderbirds are defending four-time Canada West men’s champs while the T-Bird women are riding an eight-year run atop the conference. UBC also earned U Sports team gold last year.

While UBC is the clear frontrunner in terms of the conference team championships, there will be no shortage of individual competition on display over the weekend.

Danielle Hanus and Eric Hedlin are among the top Vikes heading into the weekend.

Hanus is in her second season with Victoria and is a medal contender in all three backstroke events, while Hedlin is looking to defend his Canada West and U Sports national titles in the men’s 400-metre and 1,500-metre freestyles.

CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 24

Session 1 (heats): 4 – 5 p.m.

Session 2 (finals): 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Session 3 (heats): 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Session 4 (finals): 5 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 26

Session 5 (heats): 9 – 11 a.m.

Session 6 (finals): 3 – 5 p.m.

Saanich News