NETANYA, Israel – Alexanne Lepage of Kelowna, B.C., won Canada’s first gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships, winning the women’s 100-m breaststroke Thursday.

Julie Brousseau of Ottawa added bronze in the women’s 200-metre individual medley to bring Canada’s medal count to eight with a gold, a silver and six bronze after four days of racing.

In the 100 breast, Lepage clocked a personal best 1:06.58 finishing ahead of Eneli Jefimova of Estonia second in 1:06.84. Jimena Ruiz of Spain took the bronze in 1:07.25.

‘’I was shocked when I saw my name at No. 1 on the board,’’ said Lepage, fourth in the 50 breast on Monday. ‘’I couldn’t really believe it. It’s pretty crazy. I was already happy with my semis but I had an even better second half in the final.’’

Brousseau collected her team leading fourth medal of the competition finishing third in the women’s 200 IM in 2:13.74. Ella Jansen of Burlington, Ont., was seventh in 2:16.68.

‘’I was happy to get on the podium after a tough 400 free before that,’’ said Brousseau. ‘’It’s been really cool to face this international field and see our team compete so well.’’

Brousseau also has bronze this week in the 400-m individual medley and two relays.
It was a 1-2 American finish with Leah Hayes first in a meet record 2:10.24 and Haley McDonald second in 2:13.18.

Two Canadians advanced to finals.

Delia Lloyd of Etobicoke, Ont., was fourth in the women’s 50 backstroke semis in a personal best 28.50 while Senc-Samardzic ranked seventh in the men’s 50 fly semis in 24.15, also a PB.
Jansen and Brousseau were also in the 400 freestyle final earlier in the evening and were fourth and eighth in 4:09.55 and 4:13.53.

Canada added a fifth place in the men’s 4×200-metre freestyle relay with Filip Senc-Samardzic of Toronto, Paul Dardis of Calgary, Jordi Vilchez of Barrie, Ont., and Lorne Wigginton of Calgary clocking 7:20.82.
Dardis was also eighth in the 50 free final in 22.87.

Competition runs until Saturday.
Competition Schedule | AQUA Official