McMaster’s Bailey makes a big splash

Cameron Bailey is just one of the outstanding swimmers helping the McMaster men’s swim team make a big splash. They’re ranked number 6 in the country.

This weekend will mark Cameron Bailey’s last OUA swimming championship, and he wants to make it a memorable one: “There’s a 200 IM record I’m hoping to get, so I’m hoping that will leave my mark on the OUA.”

McMaster has already left “it’s” mark on Bailey. The Highland Secondary alum had a rough start, and actually flunked-out in his first year. But with his academics in check, he’s become a 3-time OUA all-star, he’s the Captain of his team, and now has his sights set on qualifying for the Olympic team in two years time.

Andrew Cole is the head coach: “He’s been one of the true leaders in the program as far as being consistent in the last year and a half or so, and getting a chance to see what he’s truly capable of.”

At last year’s OUA’s, Bailey won gold in the 200 Individual Medley, and bronze in the 400. Two weeks from now, he’ll compete at the national championships, and he’s looking to improve upon his silver medal in the 200 IM, an event he lost by just one-tenth of a second. But this All-Canadian isn’t only proud of his medal count. He’s happy to have been a mentor to the dozens of new swimmers who joined the Marauder program this season, and will wear maroon in the years to come: “And just how well they’ve become a part of the team is something I’m pretty proud of. And being captain, I guess I kind of, not take responsibility, but I think I helped that. I hope I helped with that!”