Dave Mills Memorial Invitational
This weekend will mark the fourth swimming competition for the UPEI Panthers this season. The meet will be hosted by UPEI at the CARI Complex Aquatics Facility, January 17-18. Teams from Dalhousie, Memorial, Acadia, UNB, and Mount Allison Universities will descend on Charlottetown for the two-day swim competition. The meet is an opportunity for AUS swimmers to test their preparation leading into the AUS Championships, February 6-8, at Dalhousie University.
The UPEI Panthers will field a team of seven strong swimmers for the upcoming meet. All swimmers will use this meet as a development opportunity for their swim events. They will look to improve on starts, turns, and general race strategies being developed in practices. Team captain Rebekah Nitschmann will lead the squad in the pool with top performances in the freestyle events. On the men's side, Joël Legault will tackle the butterfly and individual medley events. All seven swimmers are looking forward to displaying their skills in front of the hometown crowd.
This weekend will also involve the dedication and naming of the swim competition after a longtime swimming coach in Charlottetown, Dave Mills. Mills, affectionately known as 'Millsy,' was a builder of competitive swimming in both Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island. As the Charlottetown YMCA Aquatics and Fitness Director, Mills took it upon himself to organize and develop the Charlottetown YMCA Bluephins Swim Club. Mills was much more than a coach; he was a true friend, mentor, father figure, and life coach to hundreds of Island swimmers. Without his leadership and vision, Island swimming would not be what it is today. The UPEI Panthers Swim Team is honoured to dedicate its UPEI invitational meet to Dave Mills.
A reception and naming ceremony will take place at 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 17 in the CARI Complex lobby. Light refreshments will be served. The swim events will take place immediately following the ceremony. The events are free of charge and all are welcome to attend. Come out and support your UPEI Panthers! Go Panthers Go!
Schedule:
Saturday, January 17
4:00 pm racing starts
Sunday, January 18
10:00 am racing starts
For information:
Ron Annear
UPEI Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca
