(The Canadian Press)

By rdnewsNOW staff

50-metre freestyle

Nicholas Bennett breaks own record at Ken Demchuk International Invitational

Dec 1, 2025 | 4:59 PM

Nicholas Bennett broke his own Canadian record on Sunday at the 2025 Ken Demchuk International Invitational at the Markham Pan Am Centre in Ontario.

The 22-year-old from Parksville, B.C., who previously called Red Deer home, set a new best time during the S14 men’s 50-metre freestyle preliminary heats on the final day of the invitational.

He swam the race in 23.54 seconds, which overtook his previous record of 24.51 set in July 2024 in Edmonton.

Bennett advanced to the finals of the S14 men’s 50-metre freestyle on Sunday at the invitational, where he completed the race in 24.98 seconds.

Bennett said the record-breaking performance came as a surprise.

Last seen Nov. 28

Missing: Jimmy Eagle, 27, of Maskwacis

5h ago

the situation is dire

Two deaths, possibly from cold exposure, raise alarm amid Red Deer shelter situation and plight of homeless community

Dec 12, 2025

Lace-'Em Up!

Red Deer's outdoor rinks returning for another season

Dec 12, 2025

“I was definitely not expecting it, especially after three days of racing and lactic buildup,” he said in a media release. “We were just trying to see what I could do, so it’s very exciting seeing that the speed and strength is increasing. This meet is just about seeing where we’re at. I’ve been doing a lot more mileage in my training, so we wanted to take this chance to evaluate how that affects my performance.”

He recently relocated to Montréal to train at the High Performance Centre with his coach and sister, Haley Osborne. Before then, Bennett and Osborne served as members of the Red Deer Catalina Swim Club.

“The training in Montreal is a lot more professional,” Bennett said. “In Red Deer, I was driving to Calgary twice a week to get the proper training I needed in a long-course pool. I’m comfortably situated in Montreal, being able to train long course every day.”

For full results, visit https://www.swimming.ca/swim-meet/60995/