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By Earl Zukerman

MONTREAL – Steven Bielby of Pointe Claire, Que., and Marie-Andrée Leclerc-Auger of Sherbrooke, Que., are the ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ University athletes of the week for the period ending Feb. 22, 2009.

Bielby, a 5-foot-7 middle distance specialist with the Redmen swim team, became the first male in ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ history to win three individual gold medals at the CIS championships in Vancouver over the weekend and was voted CIS rookie of the year in men’s swimming. The 19-year-old electrical engineering freshman established three ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ and three Quebec university records, while winning the 1500-metres (15:22.71), the 400 individual medley (4:11.42) and the 400 freestyle (3:49.73).  Bielby’s performance earned all-Canadian honours and qualified him for the 2009 Universiade Summer Games in Belgrade, Aug. 1-12. He enrolled at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ last fall out of John Abbott College.

Leclerc-Auger, a 5-foot-5 ±«ÓãÖ±²¥ with the Martlets hockey team, scored one goal and assisted on two others, including the game-winner, in ±«ÓãÖ±²¥â€™s 5-0 victory over Ottawa last Saturday. The 20-year-old physical education freshman is fifth among CIS scoring leaders and is the top scoring rookie in the nation with 17 goals and 43 points in 17 games. Prior to enrolling at ±«ÓãÖ±²¥, she attended Collège de Saint-Jérôme.