Lethbridge, AB – The Two Guys and a Pizza Place Pronghorn Athletes of the Week for the week ending March 27, 2022.
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Male Athlete of the Week:
Apollo Hess – Men’s Swimming
Stepping on the national university scene for the first time, Lethbridge product Apollo Hess rose to the occasion, winning five medals, a national award and set a U SPORTS and senior national record.
In his first event of the meet, Hess won the Pronghorns’ first medal since the 2005 Championships with a silver medal in the 100 metre breaststroke. In the event he swam under the previous U SPORTS record time as did the gold medalist.
On day two, Hess stepped to the top of the U SPORTS podium, winning the 200 metre breaststroke but it was what he did on the final day that was truly impressive.
In the morning preliminaries of the 50 metre breaststroke, Hess qualified first for the finals, while breaking the U SPORTS record in the process. However, later that evening he would put forth an even more impressive performance in the finals. Winning his second gold medal of the meet, Hess broke the Canadian Senior record with a time of 26.65 seconds.
In addition to three individual medals, Hess helped the Pronghorn men’s relay team win the programs first ever national medals, winning two silver medals in the 4 x100 freestyle and medley relays.
He was suitably named the U SPORTS Rookie of the Year and Canada West Swimmer of the Week.
Hess will now head to Victoria to compete in the 2022 Bell Canadian Swimming trials.
Female Athlete of the Week:
Hunter Stewardson – Women’s swimming
Making her first appearance at the U SPORTS Swimming Championship, first-year breaststroke specialist Hunter Stewardson put a stamp on a strong first year on the university circuit, scoring team points in all three events she competed in.
Stewardson opened the championship narrowly missing the ‘A’ final in the 100 metre breaststroke and finished 11th overall with a time of 1:10.43.
On day two she placed 21st in the 200 metre breaststroke.
In her final event of the meet, she once again just missed the ‘A’ final by less than two tenths of a second. She finished 10th overall with a time of 32.32 seconds.
Stewardson is set to travel to Victoria next week to compete in the 2022 Bell Canadian Swimming trials.
