The Pronghorns are set to dive into the 2024 Odlum Brown Canada West Swimming Championships, taking place from November 22-24 at the UBC Aquatics Centre in Vancouver, BC. With a focused team of 24 swimmers—11 women and 13 men—the Pronghorns are determined to build on their momentum from last year and challenge the top teams in Western Canada.
 
The competition kicks off on Friday, November 22, at 4 p.m. PST and the Pronghorns are eager to get started. Although they are sending a smaller squad compared to some of the larger programs, the Horns boast a strong blend of seasoned competitors and hungry newcomers, all ready to leave their mark on this year's championship.
 
The Pronghorns had a memorable showing at the 2023 Canada West Championships, securing several podium finishes. Tristan Bennett earned bronze in the Men's 100m Breaststroke and gold in the Men's 50m Breaststroke, while Delaney Lehman took silver in the Women's 50m Breaststroke. The women's 400m Freestyle Relay team—Makena Wood, Meadow Liversuch, Delaney Lehman and Sophie MacLean—claimed bronze, marking the first time in nearly 20 years the Pronghorns had medaled in a relay event at Canada West. Building on these achievements, the team enters 2024 with even greater confidence and ambition.
 
"We may be sending a smaller group compared to some of the bigger schools, but I'm really excited about this team's potential," says head coach Peter Schori. "We've got a solid mix of experienced swimmers and some talented newcomers. Incoming athletes have been bringing a lot of energy to start the season and our more seasoned athletes are in great form and ready to lead the way."
 
The Pronghorns will lean on their returning medalists, particularly Tristan Bennett, the defending Canada West champion in the Men's 50m Breaststroke and Delaney Lehman, who earned silver in the same event last year. Both swimmers are expected to contend for top spots once again in the sprint events.
 
"Our sprinters and relays have always been strong and that's where we expect to make our biggest impact this year," Schori says. "Our women's relays have shown consistent improvement, and I believe they're poised to challenge for the podium again."
 
After nearly two decades without a relay medal, the Pronghorns women's team made a triumphant return to the podium last year with bronze in the 400m Freestyle Relay. This year, the women's team has already set a new record in the 200m Freestyle Relay  and they'll be looking to take their performances to the next level.
 
The team will also benefit from the return of Raine Arden, who is back after a redshirt year. Arden, a gold medalist in the Men's 200m Freestyle at the 2022 championships, will be a key contender in the 100m and 200m freestyle events. "Having Raine back is a huge boost for us," Schori says. "His experience at this level is invaluable, and his leadership will help guide our team through the challenges of this competition. Along with co-captain Parker Brown, they'll provide a steady hand for our younger swimmers."
 
As the Pronghorns head to Vancouver, the excitement and anticipation are building. The team is primed for success and they'll be pushing hard in both individual events and relays. The Pronghorns are ready to make their presence felt—don't miss the action! All events will be streamed live on canadawest.tv. Visit canadawest.org for full event schedule.