Erin Epp is packing her bags – and her swim cap – for England.
The University of Victoria standout will suit up for Canada this summer as part of the inaugural U SPORTS all-star team, set to compete July 3-4 in Loughborough, England.
The first-of-its-kind dual meet will feature 40 of Canada’s top university swimmers taking on athletes from British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS).
The two-day event will follow a traditional dual-meet format, with points awarded based on race placings.
Epp earned her spot in the event with a standout season. She claimed a gold medal in the 200-metre breaststroke at Canada West, along with a silver in the 400-metre individual medley and a bronze in the medley relay as part of the UVic Vikes swim team.
Earlier this spring, Epp was nominated for the Vikes’ President’s Cup – the university’s most prestigious athletic honour.
With the competition just around the corner, Team Canada head coach Byron MacDonald emphasized the significance of the upcoming event for both the athletes and the future of university swimming in Canada.
“This event will be a defining moment in many of these athletes’ careers and will significantly boost university swimming in Canada,” MacDonald said. “I’m excited to lead this exceptional group overseas to compete against some of Britain’s best.”
Ouside of Epp, Vancouver Island will be well represented in England.
Parksville product Camryn Stannard, now starring for the University of British Columbia, headlines a stacked UBC squad that leads all schools with 11 swimmers. Comox native Iris Tinmouth (McGill) and Victoria-born Bill Dongfang (University of Toronto) are also among the 40 swimmers selected.
For Epp and the rest of Team Canada, it’s not just about medals – it’s a chance to test themselves on the world stage and maybe make some waves along the way.
