MARKHAM, Ont. – The Laurier Golden Hawks opened competition with a strong start on Day 1 of the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships, hosted by McMaster University at the Markham Pan Am Centre.

In the preliminary session, John Ryan was the first Laurier swimmer in the water, racing in the men's 100-metre breaststroke. The Golden Hawks swimmer posted a personal-best time of 1:01.98 to qualify for the C final.

Later in the session, teammates Owen Jibb and George Radic competed in the men's 400-metre individual medley. Radic recorded a personal-best time of 4:21.41, while Jibb posted his second-fastest time ever at 4:24.23, with both advancing to the B final.

Ryan returned to the pool in the evening finals session for the 100-metre breaststroke C final. In a tight race to the wall, he touched second with another personal-best swim of 1:01.08.

Shortly after, Radic and Jibb lined up in the 400-metre individual medley B final. Radic surged ahead by the halfway point and held the lead through the final strokes, winning the B final in a new personal-best and Laurier team-record time of 4:17.53. Jibb followed close behind, finishing in 4:24.88.

Following the opening day of competition, the Laurier men sit 12th overall in the national standings heading into Day 2.

The 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships continue through the weekend, with live coverage available on cbcsports.ca and CBC Gem.