Golden year

Swimmer David Sharpe.

In his first year at Dalhousie, swimmer David Sharpe made quite a splash.

From Halifax, he broke six Atlantic University Sport (AUS) records and won seven AUS titles, including four individual and three relay events. He was honoured as AUS Rookie of the Meet, AUS Swimmer of the Meet, AUS Swimmer of the Year, and an AUS First Team All-Star.

At nationals, he earned a gold medal in the 50-metre backstroke and three silvers between the 100-metre backstroke and the 100-metre and 200-metre butterfly events.

His gold medal performance at nationals was the first individual gold medal for a Dalhousie swimmer in a decade and he was named the 2009-10 swim team MVP, male rookie of the year and male athlete of the year.

At a luncheon held Wednesday in the McInnes Room, the physics major added to his list of many honors by being named an Academic All-Canadian. He was also presented with a championship ring.

“I’ve always had to juggle school and swimming, so the transition to university was manageable,” says Mr. Sharpe, 20, flag bearer for the Nova Scotia team at the 2009 Canada Games. “At university, it gets more intense, so the biggest thing to focus on is time management and not to get behind with my work.”

It’s certainly a lot to manage. Being on the varsity swim team involves 16 hours a week training in the pool as well as four hours a week doing “dry land” training. Then, there are the weekend swim meets and the travel.

The future Olympian—he has his sights set on 2012 Olympics in London, England—has advice for his fellow student athletes: “Use the resources around you. Everyone wants you to succeed, so if you need help all you have to do is ask.”