Emilia Mastromatteo, U3 Science, is a shark among the minnows. Hailing from Kenora, Ontario, Emilia has overcome numerous challenges to become a standout swimmer in the pool. A sprinter for the backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly 50m and 100m, she has made a name for herself within the Martlets Swimming squad.
Her journey began at four when she joined her local swim club, the Kenora Swimming Sharks, where her mother, Janet Hyslop, is the head coach. Although coming from a family of swimmers, she initially dabbled in various sports before swimming truly captured her heart at 13. She quickly rose through the ranks, achieving national-level success in age-group competitions and catching the eye of Team Canada.
Mastromatteo told The Tribune that she likes the collaborative and competitive nature of varsity, as opposed to age group swimming, due to its focus on team spirit.
However, as she transitioned to varsity swimming, Mastromatteo faced a significant hurdle: Injury. Diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, she began experiencing severe pain and numbness in her arms. Despite this setback, she remains undeterred, leaning on her support network and adjusting her training to accommodate her limitations.
“I’ve had to be really resourceful and innovative in what I do and I’m trying to be innovative with things outside of the pool,” Mastromatteo said. “I am a unique sprinter [due to my injury], so I am in the gym four or five days a week working on a lot of strength components and mobility components. I do a lot of work with healthcare: Physio, osteo, all of them, and they’ve been really helpful.”
Her unwavering determination and positive outlook have allowed her to continue pursuing her passion for swimming, which has materialized in huge successes for the McGill team this season; she won Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) Athlete of the Week on Nov. 12, and has been named McGill Athlete of the Week four times this season.
“I have won gold in all my races to date this season,” she said. “To know that something’s working this early on in the season is really encouraging. Some of the golds are for relays so that’s been really exciting for the girls’ team, just to be a part of the relay team and get a gold with more than just yourself. I think the thing I love most about swimming is the community you build.”
This sense of community is evident in the strong bond between the McGill swimmers. Emilia has witnessed the positive impact of their supportive environment—particularly during challenging times—through the powerful sense of camaraderie between athletes, in the way they turn to each other for advice.
“The best thing I’ve learned is to rely on older athletes who’ve done it before. So now I try to support some of the younger swimmers who kind of feel those first feelings when they’re adjusting,” she emphasized.
Mastromatteo’s dedication to her sport is matched by her academic pursuits. She credits her success to efficient time management and the support of her coaches. Looking to the future, Mastromatteo aspires to pursue a career in medicine, prompted by her own experiences with injury and rehabilitation. She also wants to stay involved in the sport as a coach, giving back to the swimming community.
Mastromatteo’s story is one of perseverance. She gave some final advice for younger athletes aiming to pursue varsity sports.
“To have a goal and stay true to that goal is really important, but try not to get so fixated on one outcome and one plan,” she said. “You have to always be open to guidance and advice from other people, especially different coaches with different perspectives.”
