Masse, who claimed individual silver medals in the 100-metre and 200-metre backstroke events earlier this week, got Canada out to a great start in the relay as Canada sat first after the backstroke leg (57.90) en-route to a Canadian record time of 3:52.60.
"It's so special," said the LaSalle, Ont., native when asked about the difference between swimming in individual and relay events. "These girls have been my people, especially this past year through all the challenges with COVID. We've been together and by each other's side so I'm really happy to have done this here with them tonight."
The 25-year-old graduate of U of T's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education now boasts four career Olympic medals after a bronze-medal finish in the 100-metre backstroke at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Gabe Mastromatteo, who is heading into his second season with the Varsity Blues this fall, helped Canada to a seventh-place finish in the men's 4x100 medley relay. The second-year Rotman commerce student also helped Canada's 4x100 medley relay team to a 13th-place finish, and placed 38th overall in the men's 100-metre backstroke in Tokyo.
Recent U of T transfer Ruslan Gaziev also represented the Blues in Tokyo. The incoming University of Toronto Mississauga student was a member of Canada's fourth-place 4x100-metre freestyle relay team.
Varsity Blues assistant head coach Linda Kiefer wrapped up her fifth Olympic Games as a Team Canada coach, while U of T head coach Byron MacDonald finished yet another Games as a CBC commentator for swimming.