2008 Olympian
Canadian Record Holder 200 IM, 100 Freestyle
Birthdate: March 3, 1989
Age: 23
Height/Weight: 178 cm/65 kg
Hometown: Regina, Saskatchewan
Residence: Calgary
Club: University of Calgary Swim Club
Coach: Jan Bidrman
Past Coaches: Jamie Connors, Steven Vandermuelen, Chris Renaud
Events: 200 IM, 100 Freestyle, 4x100 Freestyle Relay
The thrill of competition is what drives Erica Morningstar of Calgary to compete and train every day. Morningstar of Calgary, continues to be one of Canada’s top female freestyle sprinters. In addition to her marquee event, Morningstar qualified in the 200 IM for the Beijing Games, and also holds the Canadian record in this event. The 8-year old record used to be held by Marianne Limpert. That record was lowered by teammate Julia Wilkinson at the Beijing Olympics creating a great rivalry between the two.
2010 proved to be a rather exceptional season for Erica. She excelled at the Varsity level with the University of Calgary, went on to represent Canada in the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships, and the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Erica won Female athlete of the year at the U of C for the first time and once again was unbeatable in the CIS Championships with another 7 gold medals added. She made the final in the 200IM placing 6th and won a bronze medal in the 4X100m Freestyle relay at the Pan Pacific Championships. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, she reached the semi-finals of the 100 metre freestyle, and finished seventh in the 200 metre individual medley.
Erica continued into 2011 building on the momentum she had gained from 2010. She once again won Female athlete of the year at the U of C, this time posting 6 golds and 1 silver at the CIS Championships. Erica continued her success into the World Championship trials where she set a new Canadian record in the 200IM, and asserted herself as one of the premier Canadian swimming talents once again. She went into the 2011 World Aquatics Championships as the 6th fastest competitor in the 200IM but finished a disappointing 12th.
During the 2009 World Championships, Morningstar was only scheduled to swim the 200 IM, but stepped up to the plate at the last minute and swam the 4x100 free relay in Canadian record time.
At the 2008 Olympic Games, Morningstar contributed to the Women’s 4x100 medley which placed 7th, as well as the 4x100 freestyle relay which placed 8th and 4x200 freestyle relay all of which set National records. Individually she placed 15th in the 100 freestyle. As part of team Canada, Morningstar also put her name to the 4x50 medley relay during a time trial at the 2008 Summer National prior to leaving for Beijing.
At the 2007 World Aquatic Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Erica broke her own Canadian record in the 100m freestyle clocking 54.08 and placing 5th in the World.
Erica took part in her first Senior National Team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia. At the Games, she was part of the 4x100 freestyle as well as the 4x100 medley relay both of which collected bronze medals. Individually she placed 4th in the 100 freestyle.
In the summer of 2006, Erica participated at the Pan Pacific Championships in Victoria, BC where she once again contributed to relay success with a silver medal finish in the 4x100 freestyle relay which she anchored.
2008-2010 were very difficult years for Erica Swimming wise. She was not producing the results she knew she was capable of and even though she continued to make the national team and excel at the CIS Swimming level, she was not producing results on the international stage that she excpected. Summer of 2010 proved to be a breakout performance for Erica and it was at that point she knew mentally she was ready to produce results once again on the international scene. After going through years of not going best times in her best events, Erica now has a new outlook on swimming. Competition is her favorite part about swimming and after years of stressing about staying on top and being the best, she now views every race as fun opportunity to see how fast she can go.
Last year Erica also took part in the first annual Fitnesspalooza, and event sponsored by lululemon and Talisman Centre to raise money for CANFund which provides funding directly to athletes. CANFund is a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations from sponsors. This year she will take a more active role and help with the planning of the event.
Erica contributes much of her success to her family as they are always there for her no matter if she is swimming fast or not. Outside of the pool Erica is looking for ways to become more involved in the community. She has become involved with the CANSwim movement which looks to reduce considerably the number of drownings each year as well as teach children how to swim to help fight obesity and help get children active.
