UPEI announces the Panther Subway Athletes of the Week, January 16-22

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to swimmers Stephanie Hatayama and Pieter VanLeeuwen, the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the week for January 16-22!

Stephanie Hatayama is a third-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student at UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College and a member of the UPEI swim team. At this weekend’s Acadia Invitational Swim Meet, she claimed an impressive “sprint double,” winning the women’s 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle events.

“Swimming seasonal best times with only a few weeks until the AUS Championships will put Stephanie in a great position to challenge at the championships,” said coach Tony Theriault. 

Pieter VanLeeuwen is a first-year student in UPEI’s School of Sustainable Design Engineering and a member of the UPEI swim team. VanLeeuwen set a new UPEI record in the men's 100-metre breaststroke with a time of 1:13.03. He also placed second in the men’s 400-metre freestyle and third in the 200-metre freestyle.

“Pieter is a very well rounded and talented athlete,” said Theriault. “He can swim and be competitive in a multitude of events from sprints right up to distance events. He is a valuable member to our squad.”

“Stephanie and Pieter are strong swimmers that embrace hard work and have shown consistency all season,” said head coach Tom Ponting. “Both of them meet the hard sets and tough demands put on them with a grin. Fierce competitors, both are always ready with quick words of encouragement for their teammates.”

The Subway AUS Swimming Championships will be held at the Bell Aliant Centre on the UPEI campus February 10-12. Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.