First-year sensation Elijah Daley produced a historic performance representing the University of Toronto on the opening day of the 2026 Ontario University Championships. Competing inside the Athletic Centre Varsity Pool, the young swimmer signaled his arrival on the collegiate stage by taking down a record that had stood for nearly a decade.
The day began with Daley navigating the Men’s 100 SC Meter Breaststroke preliminaries. He secured a place in the A Final by finishing eighth, clocking a then-personal best time of 1:02.15. However, it was in the evening session where the freshman truly found another gear.
In a high-quality A Final, Daley touched the wall in fifth place with an improved time of 1:01.26. That mark was more than just a personal milestone; it officially broke the long-standing record of 1:01.56 previously held by Julian Fletcher. Fletcher’s time had remained untouched since December 5, 2016, when it was set during the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Windsor, Ontario.
Daley’s record-breaking swim highlights the immediate impact he has made within the Varsity Blues program. As the championships continue, his performance has set a high bar for both himself and his teammates as they pursue further honors in the pool.
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