Four members of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns swim team have qualified for the Canadian Interuniversity Sport swimming championships as the team heads into this weekend's Pronghorn Classic.

The Pronghorns, competing in arguably the toughest conference in the country, fared well at the Canada West swim championships this past weekend. The small squad beat a total of 56 personal-best marks and the team placed sixth overall as they battled programs stocked with Olympic talent.

Leading the way on the men's side was Jeffrey Nicol. Nicol, gearing up for the CIS championships, scored points in the 400-metre Individual Medley, 200m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke and relay events. He was also the team's top finisher, placing sixth in the 200m breaststroke. Teammate Dwight Holmen authored a major personal breakthrough, qualifying for the CIS championship in each of the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

Heather Dutton led the women's team, as she scored 24 individual points and was on each of the scoring relay teams. Dutton had top-16 swims in each event she swam and capped off her weekend with a win in the 400m freestyle consolation final on Sunday night. CIS breaststroker Kristy Gabruck also had breakthrough performances in the 50m and 100m events.

The Pronghorn Classic goes this weekend at the Max Bell Regional Aquatic Centre where the rest of the squad has two final opportunities to record CIS-qualifying times. The meet begins Friday and runs through Sunday afternoon.