Sault native Raili Kary has made quite a splash in her first year of university athletics.
The University of Toronto engineering student won five gold medals at the OUA (Ontario University Athletics) Swimming Championships as a member of the Toronto Varsity Blues swimming team this past weekend.
The competition was held in Toronto.
Though a second year student at U of T, Kary is considered a first year student with the OUA, as COVID put a hold on OUA events last year.
“This was my first big event with the university. It was really exciting to get to compete at that level and perform that well,” Kary told SooToday.
Kary won two golds as part of the school’s 4 x 50 metre free relay and 400 metre medley relay events, then as an individual with three more golds to her credit in the 50, 100 and 200 metre backstroke events.
Kary also won both swimmer of the year and rookie of the year awards as well as being named one of three OUA Athletes of the Week.
“I started swimming competitively with Northern Storm when I was seven (later competing with the Sault Surge Aquatic Team). My parents signed me up for competitive swimming and I loved it. I knew all through high school that I wanted to swim competitively,” said the St. Mary’s College graduate.
“I was really excited when Byron MacDonald (Toronto Varsity Blues swim teams coach at U of T) reached out to me. The team is a very high performance team and has a history of producing some great backstrokers so I really jumped at that opportunity.”
It’s a physical, mental and emotional triumph to stand on the podium, Kary said.
“I just went in and concentrated on my technique and having a good race. Then when you touch the wall and see that you’ve won the race it’s a total added benefit knowing that you’ve done all the right things, all the right steps to get yourself there.”
What’s next for Kary?
Olympic competition for Canada in 2024?
That's quite the step, but not one that Kary is ruling out.
“For sure I want to continue my varsity career and I am continuing to compete at nationals and trials and if I had that opportunity down the line I would obviously love to take that and see where I could go with it. For now I’m happy swimming varsity and see where that takes me.”
Kary, 19, is in her second year of study at the University of Toronto’s Materials Science and Engineering Department.
Materials science and engineering involves designing and discovering new materials which can be applied to areas such as nanotechnology and forensics.
Athletic accomplishment and lofty academic achievement often go hand in hand.
NHL goaltender Ken Dryden had a love for hockey and practicing law.
NHL defenceman Randy Gregg played pro hockey before becoming a doctor.
Similarly, swimming competitively is the physical complement to her intellectual strength as an engineering student, Kary said.
“I really like having those two different sides that I try to focus on. Having a healthy balance is definitely key.”
Kary said Kylie Masse, a former University of Toronto swimmer and Canadian Olympic swimming medallist, is among her role models.
At the top of her list, of course, are her parents Allan Kary and Helen Lindfors of the Sault.
“All throughout, they always got up early to drive me to swimming practices. They always motivated me and encouraged me to do the things that I love. They’ve been a huge support.”