CBC Sports shines the spotlight on the University of Toronto swimming program in this article featuring swimmers Ainsley McMurray and Gabriel Mastromatteo, and coaches Byron MacDonald and Linda Kiefer.
Ainsley McMurray didn't take long to realize the standards and expectations of the program when she started swimming with the University of Toronto Varsity Blues in 2018.
Diving into the pool alongside then-established Canadian Olympian Kylie Masse, McMurray was just beginning a post-secondary career that has since seen international medals, as well as national and provincial titles.
Heading into her final U Sports and Ontario University Athletics championship season, McMurray isn't hoping to just set records and win medals. She's also looking to swim for a Paris 2024 Olympic berth, just like her former first-year teammate.
"I got to swim with [Masse] in my first year, and she's just one of the best people I've ever met and one of the best swimmers I've gotten to know," McMurray said. "She comes back to the pool sometimes and joined us to train at the start of the year, which elevated my training.
"Just having her next to you is special."