On Tuesday, Erica Morningstar was the first swimmer ever to be inducted into the Canada West Hall of Fame. Morningstar is a two-time Olympian who went to Beijing in 2008 and the 2012 Games in London. She was named CIS Female Swimmer of the Year in 2011 and the University of Calgary’s Female Athlete of the Year for 2010 and 2011. She won a total of 23 national gold medals while competing for the Calgary Dinos.
Swim Alberta caught up with Morningstar on her induction. “I’m extremely honoured the Canada West Hall of Fame has chosen to include me as one of the inductees this year. Being part of the Dinos Swim Team and competing at Canada West and CIS Championships was a special and memorable time in my career. I have a number of wonderful memories from my time as a Dino and student athlete. Swimming is often a very individual sport, but university swimming gives you the chance to be part of a larger team and I’m extremely grateful I was able to be part of the Dinos program.”
Head Coach of the Calgary Dino’s Mike Blondal had this to say on Erica’s achievements, “Erica developed well as a sprinter and came to the Dinos from the Calgary Patriots Swim Club as she moved to the international faze of her swimming career. I feel proud of all Erica’s accomplishments while she swam as a Dino and pursued her education.”
Morningstar swam internationally for Team Canada from 2006-2012.