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Sunday, January 11, 2026
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Martlets Make Waves with Signing of Record-Breaker Howes
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The McGill University women’s swimming and diving program has secured a significant talent for their 2026 entry class, announcing the signing of Bermudian standout Marleigh Howes.
Howes will arrive in Montreal with a reputation as one of the most clinical sprinters in the Caribbean region. In an official welcome on social media, the McGill coaching staff expressed their excitement for the new recruit, stating: "Marleigh is a sprint butterfly and freestyle specialist who will join the team all the way from Warwick, Bermuda! Looking forward to having you as a new Martlet soon."
Howes’ commitment to the Martlets follows a historic 2025 campaign that firmly established her as a premier name in Bermudian swimming. Just last month, the 17-year-old shattered a 42-year-old age-group record in the 200m butterfly at the BASA Winter Age Group Championships. Clocking a time of 2:26.89, she eclipsed the previous short-course benchmark set by Mary Mowbray in 1983.
The achievement was the culmination of a year defined by elite consistency. In June 2025, Howes was crowned the Senior National Champion at the Ascot Bermuda National Swimming Championships, following a season where she dominated the domestic freestyle circuit and demonstrated her tactical growth in the butterfly disciplines.
Howes is no stranger to the high-pressure environment of representative sport. A veteran of the CARIFTA Swimming Championships, she has been a frequent podium finisher for the Gombey Warriors. Her breakout performance came at the 2023 Games in Curaçao, where she secured two silver medals in the 100m backstroke and the 200m Freestyle, alongside a Relay Bronze.
Her development has been further sharpened at the world-renowned Bolles School in Florida, where she helped her team secure the FHSAA Class 1A State Championship title. During her time in the United States, she consistently clocked top-tier times, including a 52.02-second finish in the 100-yard freestyle that helped Bolles dominate the Florida state rankings.
At McGill, Howes is expected to bolster a Martlets squad that has traditionally excelled in the RSEQ conference. Her versatility across freestyle and butterfly will be a vital asset in dual meet scoring and relay depth.
For Howes, the move to Canada represents the next step toward a loftier goal. Speaking after her record-breaking swim in December, she signaled her intent to follow in the footsteps of Bermudian Olympians like Emma Harvey. With her commitment to the Martlets now official, the Warwick Academy product joins a growing list of Bermudians making their mark in the Canadian collegiate system.
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Saturday, January 10, 2026
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Daley Triple Secures Victory for No. 4 Varsity Blues Against York
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The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s swimming team, ranked No. 4 nationally, continued their clinical start to the new year with a hard-fought 50-39 dual meet victory over the York Lions at the Athletic Centre – Varsity Pool on Saturday.
In a meet defined by the dominance of youth, first-year standout Elijah Daley emerged as the undisputed star of the morning session. The Bermudian freshman secured a remarkable triple-win, claiming the top prize in the 50m breaststroke, the 100m breaststroke, and the 100m individual medley.
Daley’s versatility across the strokes has quickly made him a central figure in Toronto’s championship aspirations. His ability to deliver maximum points in both sprint and medley disciplines proved to be the difference-maker as the Blues fended off a resilient York squad.
The Varsity Blues coaching staff, led by the legendary Byron MacDonald, have been vocal about the impact of their new recruit. "Our coaching staff knew how valuable Elijah would be to our program and he's proving us right," MacDonald said following the meet. "He will be a player on the national scene and just as importantly his demeanour and attitude are great additions to the squad."
The victory keeps the Blues' momentum high as they prepare for a heavy mid-season schedule. While the No. 2 ranked Toronto women also secured a comfortable win over York, the men’s performance highlighted the depth and readiness of their underclassmen ahead of next week's U of T Winter Invitational.
With the OUA Championships on the horizon in February, Daley’s early-season form suggests he will be a major contender for individual silverware as the Blues eye a sweep of the provincial titles.
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Friday, January 09, 2026
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Insley Plays a Role as Canisius Overpower St. Bonaventure
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Bermudian sophomore Rhys Insley helped the Canisius University men’s swimming and diving team secure a comprehensive 208-86 victory over Little Three rivals St. Bonaventure at the Reilly Center Pool in Olean, New York.
The Golden Griffins were in commanding form throughout the dual meet, with Insley contributing vital points across several individual and relay events to help his side sweep the podium in multiple disciplines.
Insley’s most significant individual contribution came in the Men’s 100 Yard Breaststroke. In a display of explosive power, the Smiths Parish native touched the wall in 58.69 to claim second place. His performance was part of a crucial 2-3 finish for the Griffs, narrowly ahead of teammate Giovanni Poggio, securing a major point haul for the visiting side.
The sophomore also tested his versatility in the Men’s 200 Yard Individual Medley, where he finished sixth overall with a time of 2:05.69.
Insley’s consistency was further highlighted in the relay events, where he was a staple of the Canisius 'C' teams:
200 Yard Medley Relay: Swimming the second leg, Insley helped his team to a fifth-place finish in a combined time of 1:40.22.
200 Yard Freestyle Relay: Returning for the final event of the meet, he again swam the second leg, helping the Griffs' 'C' team clock 1:31.83 to take another fifth-place spot.
The dominant scoreline marks one of the most significant wins for Canisius in recent history at the Reilly Center Pool, providing the team with massive momentum as they head toward the heart of the 2026 collegiate season.
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Thursday, January 08, 2026
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White Leads Bentley to Dominant Victory Over St. Michael’s
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Swimmer Taylor White produced a clinical display of speed and endurance as she helped the Bentley University women’s swimming and diving team secure a convincing 189-101 victory over St. Michael’s College.
The Falcons were in irresistible form at the Dana Center, with White playing a pivotal role across both individual and relay events to help her side cruise to their latest dual-meet win.
White’s standout individual moment came in the Women’s 500 Yard Freestyle. Showcasing her range as a distance specialist, the senior from Warwick touched the wall first in a time of 5:20.28, securing maximum points for the Falcons and finishing well clear of the chasing pack.
Beyond her individual triumph, White was instrumental in Bentley’s relay dominance. She spearheaded the 200 Yard Medley Relay 'A' team, swimming a sharp leadoff backstroke leg to set the foundation for a winning time of 1:56.87.
She returned to the pool for the 400 Yard Freestyle Relay, swimming the second leg for the 'A' team. Her consistent split helped the Falcons clock a combined 3:48.14 to claim another victory and put the result beyond doubt.
The win continues a stellar senior season for White, who was recently named the Northeast-10 Women’s Swimmer of the Week. Her leadership and form remain central to Bentley’s aspirations as they head toward the championship season.
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Wednesday, January 07, 2026
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Smatt & Fahy Bermuda’s Historic LC Records Stand Firm
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 Stephen Fahy IslandStats.com
Following the publication of the 2025 long course benchmarks, a closer look at the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association archives reveals that some of the most enduring records now stretch back nearly four decades.
The longest-standing female record in the books belongs to Olympian Jennifer Smatt, whose dominance in the Breaststroke has spanned generations. Her 11-12 girls 100m Breaststroke time of 1:18.00, set in July 1987 in Puerto Rico, has remained the gold standard for over 38 years.
Smatt also holds several other resilient marks, including her 17-18 age group breaststroke records set during the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and Individual Medley times dating back to 1990.
On the men’s side, the longest-standing record belongs to Olympian Stephen Fahy in the Open category. His 200m Individual Medley time of 2:07.25, established during the 13th Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, has stood unchallenged since August 1st, 1999. This 26-year-old benchmark remains a formidable barrier for the island's current crop of elite male swimmers.
Other notable veterans of the record books include Anastasia Lau, whose 17-18 Girls 50m Breaststroke mark has stood since 2004, and Rebecca Sharpe, who has held the 15-16 Girls 200m Backstroke record since 2008. The legendary 2009 season also remains a prolific era for enduring times, featuring world-class performances from Olympians Julian Fletcher in the 17-18 Breaststroke and Kiera Aitken in the Open Freestyle and Backstroke categories.
Sprint king Olympian Roy-Allan Burch continues to hold the Men’s Open 50m Freestyle record with his 22.47-second dash from the 2012 London Olympics. Meanwhile, Mitchell Gariépy's 50m Breaststroke time remains the 9-10 Boys standard 15 years after it was set in Florida. These historic marks continue to serve as the ultimate benchmarks for Bermuda's emerging talent as they look to etch their own names into the annals of the sport.
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