VICTORIA – There was never any doubt that Canadian athletes with University of Victoria ties would make a splash at this year's Commonwealth Games hosted in Glasgow, Scotland. It couldn't of been more of a statement as former Vikes swimmer Ryan Cochrane earned Canada's first gold, in the 400-metre freestyle swim, on day one.
 
Cochrane was one of six Canadians to advance to the individual finals with a qualification time of 3:46.62. The two-time Olympic medalist and Victoria native dominated the final 50-m sprint, past Australia's David McKeon, to touch in at 3:43.46 and successfully defend the 400-m medal he earned in 2010 at the New Delhi games. Vikes swimmer Will Brothers was second in his heat for the 400-m but failed to meet qualification with a time of 3:54.89.
 
Cochrane will also compete in the 200-m freestyle and 1500-m freestyle, while Brothers will compete in the 400 Individual Medley as well as the 1500-m freestyle all in the coming days.
 
In field hockey, the No. 22-ranked Canadian women fell 4-2 to the No. 13 India Eves squad. Canada was square at one through the opening half but powerful drag flicks had India up by two through the second half. Former Vikes Thea Culley, Danielle Hennig and Kaitlyn Williams were all starters for the team who now face South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and the world No. 4 New Zealand left in pool play.
 
Also in field hockey, which includes former Vike Keegan Pereira, Canada's men's national team faced the world No. 6 New Zealand Black Sticks. Tied 1-1 at half, the No. 16 Canadian squad could not hold off the penalty corner talents of Andy Hayward and Phil Burrows, losing 3-1 in the end. The Canadian men have lots of hockey still to go with pool play games against Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago and England still to come. 
 
For more results from the Glasgow games visit Glasgow2014.com