MARKHAM -- The Bisons swimming team brought eight student-athletes (four per gender) to U SPORTS Nationals, and had a strong showing, recording 172 points, while reaching the finals in eight different events. Individually, Ella Howe broke her own school record in the 50m freestyle, while a variety of swimmers hit personal bests. 

Howe finished third overall in the 50m free prelims on day two, setting what was then a school record in a time of 25.19 seconds. In the final, she lowered that total further, touching the wall in 25.17 seconds for fourth-place, the best individual finish of any Bison at the event. Howe also reached the final in the other three events she competed in -- the 100 and 200m freestyle and the 50m butterfly. 

On the men's side, sprint specialist Ty Unrau reached the finals in the 50m freestyle and the 50m butterfly. His best showing came in his signature event, the 50m freestyle, where he finished 15th overall in a time of 22.78 seconds. Earlier on day two, Unrau set a personal best in the event, reaching the wall in 22.70 seconds. 

Other swimmers reaching finals included Shea Guest in the 100m backstroke, Tam Doan in the 50m and 100m breastroke, as well as Aryana Arquero in the 50m butterfly and Annabel Kolman in the 200m butterfly. 

Arquero -- one of two female rookies who qualified for nationals along with Kolman -- hit a personal best in the 50m butterfly, as well as the 100m butterfly. Her PB in the 50m final, of 27.50 was good for 14th overall. Meanwhile, Doan thrilled the local crowd on day one in the 100m breaststroke, winning a three-way swim off to reach the final in a time of 1:01.60.

Additionally, Jerome Timpug, one of two male rookies competing along with Harlem Lau, finished with a personal best in the 100m breastroke in an event that was one of the deepest in the country this year. He touched the line in a time of 1:03.07.