The UBC Thunderbirds are back on top after swewping the 2025 U SPORTS Swimming National Championships, claiming both the overall men's and women's team titles on Saturday night inside the Athletic Centre – Varsity Pool in Toronto.
Leading from the very first day of action on Thursday, the UBC men earned their 21
st national championship banner with a final three-day point total of 1305.5. Collecting 19 total medals, including 10 golds, the overall victory marked a return to the top step for the Thunderbirds after just a one-year absence.
The UBC women tallied 1472 total team points, accumulating 28 total medals, including 11 golds en route to claiming a record 25
th national championship banner in program history and first since 2020.
Rounding out the men's overall podium, the championship host Toronto Varsity Blues finished second with 1078, while the Calgary Dinos picked up bronze with 860.
For the women, the McGill Martlets made a surge on Day 3 lifting them into the silver medal position with 936.5 points. Finishing in third place, Calgary registered 920.5.
"I really think of course it's a complete team effort," said UBC swimming head coach
Derrick Schoof following the banner presentations. "It takes 18 swimmers to really put together that many points. It's not just about one or two, it's about the entire team, really getting up, whether it's winning the gold medal or moving up in the B-final or even the C-final. But I think the proudest moment for me at the end of this weekend is just seeing how wonderful these kids are, this team spirit that they have, and how selfless they can be. I'm very proud of every one of them."
Given the backdrop of last year when the T-Birds women's team claimed the silver medal and the men finished in fourth overall spot in Montreal while competing at less than full strength due to Olympic commitments. The T-Birds head coach admitted this season's record setting sweep is extra rewarding.
"With some standout recruits and excellent individual and team performances we were able to get back on top," continued Schoof. "Our legacy is one to be proud of which come with it some added expectations. So, it very rewarding to win both titles again."
With four gold medals won and four new U SPORTS records following the first two days of the national showcase, UBC swimmer and Canadian Olympian
Finlay Knox rounded out his week earning another two national golds and U SPORTS records in the 200m butterfly, and alongside his teammates in the 4x100m medley relay. The outstanding three-day effort garnered Knox U SPORTS men's swimmer of the year honours, seeing UBC swimmers recognized with the award in back-to-back seasons after
Hugh McNeill received the honour in 2024.
"I mean, it's awesome, especially coming into U SPORTS and racing the best university athletes in Canada," said Knox. "It's an honor to be the best Canadian male swimmer and hopefully I've inspired some younger generations to strive to break my records. Both the men and women's teams coming together and putting on a display of high-level swimming and record breaking performances, it's incredible."
Appearing at her first U SPORTS national championships, UBC's
Kayla Sanchez delivered under the spotlight, winning seven national gold medals, while setting two new U SPORTS national records. The two-time Olympian was honoured for her incredible three-day performance, receiving the U SPORTS women's swimmer of the year award. Thunderbird women have now claimed the major award in three of the last four seasons.
"I'm honored and I wouldn't be swimming the way that I'm swimming without my team, so I owe it all to them and my coaches," said Sanchez regarding her swimmer of the year honours. "[The team success means] a lot because I think they inspired me. Being a student-athlete is not easy and the team kind of helped me figure that out. It has just been a good experience."
"Both Kayla and Finlay were both amazing in their individual performances as well as on relays," added UBC head coach
Derrick Schoof. "Their performances anchoring the 4x200 freestyle relays were both exceptional as both relays set new U Sport records in part due to their selfless efforts."
For the U SPORTS men's rookie of the year honours, Toronto Varsity Blue breaststroker Nathan Thomas received the award following a spectacular showing in front of a home crowd at Varsity Pool. The OUA men's rookie of the year added to his first-year medal haul, scoring national silver in both the 100m and 200m breaststroke, while also grabbing silver as a member of the Blues 4x100m medley relay team.
"It's been really electric, really special, and really nerve-racking," said Thomas as of the experience at his first U SPORTS championships. "University of Toronto has a long history of breaststrokers so I felt like I had big shoes to step in. I broke two big barriers with one minute in the 100 breast and 2:10 in the 200 breast, and I'm just glad I was able to do that and show everyone that we are still a very strong breaststroke program."
Laval's Raphaelle Tremblay followed up her RSEQ rookie of the year with national recognition, receiving the women's U SPORTS rookie of the year award. Appearing at her first U SPORTS championships, Tremblay captured national bronze in the 400m freestyle, racing next to national champions and Olympians in the highly competitive event final. A busy swimmer, she also added a fourth-place finish in the 400m IM, fifth-place finish in the 200m freestyle, and seventh-place result in the 200m IM.
"It was a surprise," said Tremblay of her major award. "I won it at the RSEQ championships, but I didn't really think I would win it at U SPORTS. Clearly it is an honour and I am so happy with what I did this year, what I got to work on with my coaches, really happy with the outcomes. Getting to swim next to Olympians, that is super fun, and I am so excited for next year."
Rounding out the honours handed out on the final day of the championship, Alberta head coach Paul Birmingham was named Men's FOX 40 coach of the year, while McGill's Peter Carpenter received the Women's FOX 40 coach of the year.
The full list of major award winners, overall team standings, and individual medalists from all three days of the 2025 U SPORTS Swimming National Championships is included below.
MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Men's Athlete of the Meet Award / Le prix d'athlète masculin des Championnats :
Finlay Knox, UBC
Women's Athlete of the Meet Award / Le prix d'athlète féminine des Championnats :
Kayla Sanchez, UBC
Men's Rookie of the Year / Recrue masculine de l'année : Nathan Thomas, Toronto
Women's Rookie of the Year / Recrue féminine de l'année : Raphaëlle Tremblay, Laval
Men's FOX 40 Coach of the Year Award / Prix FOX 40 de l'entraîneur de l'année en natation masculine : Paul Birmingham, Alberta
Women's FOX 40 Coach of the Year Award / Prix FOX 40 de l'entraîneur de l'année en natation féminine : Peter Carpenter, McGill
Men's Community Service Award / Prix du service communautaire masculin : Erik Leinseisen, McGill
Women's Community Service Award / Prix du service communautaire féminin : Marcella Whelan, Memorial
TEAM STANDINGS
WOMEN
1. UBC, 1472.0
2. McGill, 936.5
3. Calgary, 920.5
4. Toronto, 708.0
5. Alberta, 366.0
6. Western, 264.0
7. Victoria, 231.0
8. Ottawa, 219.5
9. McMaster, 198.5
10. Guelph, 196.0
11. Lethbridge, 195.5
12. Dalhousie, 176.0
13. Brock, 170.0
14. Laval, 168.0
15. Montreal, 158.0
16. Manitoba, 148.5
17. Waterloo, 143.0
18. Acadia, 80.0
19. Sherbrooke, 8.0
20. UNB, 2.0
MEN
1. UBC, 1305.5
2. Toronto, 1078.0
3. Calgary, 860.0
4. McGill, 754.5
5. Alberta, 412.0
6. Western, 316.0
7. Victoria, 267.5
8. Ottawa, 260.0
9. Waterloo, 224.0
10. Lethbridge, 166.5
11. Laval, 146.5
12. York, 128.0
13. McMaster, 117.0
14. Laurier, 108.0
15. Memorial, 86.5
16. Dalhousie, 82.0
17. Montreal, 68.0
18. Manitoba, 65.0
19. Sherbrooke, 58.0
20. Carleton, 51.5
21. Regina, 50.0
22. UNB, 38.0
23. Acadia, 34.0
24. Brock, 28.5
25. UQTR, 4.0
EVENT RESULTS
DAY 3
(W) 200M Butterfly
1. Nina Mollin, Toronto: 2:13.29
2. Naomie Lo, McGill: 2:14.01
3. Emilie de Chazal, McGill: 2:15.33
(M) 200M Butterfly
1.
Finlay Knox, UBC: 1:53.67 –
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Benjamin Loewen, Toronto: 1:54.46
3. Bill Dongfang, Toronto: 1:56.26
(W) 50M Breaststroke
1. Alexanne Lepage, Calgary: 30.49
2.
Eloise Allen, UBC: 31.21
3.
Alicia L'Archeveque, UBC: 31.32
(M) 50M Breaststroke
1. Hugo Lemesle, Ottawa: 27.14
2. Garrett Brendzan, Alberta: 27.35
3. Stephen Moore, Calgary: 27.53
(W) 100M Freestyle
1. Kayla Noelle Sanchez, UBC: 52.48
2.
Emma O'Croinin, UBC: 54.48
3. Elizabeth Ling, McGill: 55.23
(M) 100M Freestyle
1. Eric Ginzburg, York: 48.16
2. Chris C Weeks, Memorial: 48.18
3. Luke Beinder-Stewart, Western: 48.39
(W) 200M Backstroke
1. Hannah Johnsen, Calgary: 2:09.94
2. Angelica Bath, Toronto: 2:12.27
3.
Natascha Borromeo, UBC: 2:13.51
(M) 200M Backstroke
1.
Blake Tierney, UBC: 1:53.27
2. Benjamin Loewen, Toronto: 1:55.37
3. LoÏc Courville-Fortin, McGill: 1:55.49
(W) 800M Freestyle
1.
Emma O'Croinin, UBC: 8:36.64
2. Ann Dumont-Belanger, UBC: 8:45.98
3. Iris Tinmouth, McGill: 8:49.03
(M) 1500M Freestyle
1. Hunter Payne, Calgary: 15:09.90
2.
Olivier Risk, UBC: 15:15.52
3.
Tanner Cole, UBC: 15:18.20
(W) 400M Medley Relay
1. UBC (
Bridget Burton,
Eloise Allen,
Una Borchgrevink, Kayla Noelle Sanchez): 3:59.16
2. Calgary (Hannah Johnsen, Alexanne Lepage, Madisen Jacques, Eliza Housman): 4:03.89
3. Toronto (Angelica Bath, Tina Guan, Nina Mollin, Teagan Vander Leek): 4:06.99
(M) 400M Medley Relay
1. UBC (
Blake Tierney,
Finlay Knox,
Wells Ginzer,
Joel Blanco): 3:29.52 –
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Toronto (Andrew Herman, Nathan Thomas, Ben Loewen, Albert Bouley): 3:31.82
3. Calgary (Stephen Calkins, Nicholas Duncan, Thomas Mcdonald, Gibson Black): 3:34.82
DAY 2
(W) 50M Freestyle
1. Kayla Noelle Sanchez, UBC: 24.18 -
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Teagan Vander Leek, Toronto: 25.27
3. Zea M Wetzlaughk, Western: 25.61
(M) 50M Freestyle
1. Eric Ginzburg, York: 21.80
2. Albert Bouley, Toronto: 21.84
3. Liam Weaver, Toronto: 21.89
(W) 200M Breaststroke
1. Alexanne Lepage, Calgary: 2:25.73
2.
Emma Spence, UBC: 2:28.93
3. Romane Hereng, Montreal: 2:30.01
(M) 200M Breaststroke
1. Hugo Lemesle, Ottawa: 2:08.06
2. Nathan Thomas, Toronto: 2:09.10
3.
Tanner Cole, UBC: 2:09.70
(W) 400M Freestyle
1.
Emma O'Croinin, UBC: 4:09.88
2.
Anna Dumont-Belanger, UBC: 4:13.65
3. Raphaelle Tremblay, Laval: 4:14.13
(M) 400M Freestyle
1.
Olivier Risk, UBC: 3:49,79
2. Mats Baradat, McGill: 3:50.08
3. Quinn Matties, Toronto: 3:51.12
(W) 100M Backstroke
1.
Bridget Burton, UBC: 59.30
2. Hannah Johnsen, Calgary: 1:00.26
3. Tatum O'Connor, Brock: 1:00.31
(M) 100M Backstroke
1.
Blake Tierney, UBC: 51.00 -
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Andrew Herman, Toronto: 51.49
3. Benjamin Loewen, Toronto: 52.85
(W) 200M Freestyle
1. Nina Mollin, Toronto: 2:13.46
2.
Camryn Stannard, UBC: 2:14.46
3.
Emma Spence, UBC: 2:16.04
(M) 200M Freestyle
1.
Finlay Knox, UBC: 1:54.15 -
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Loi Courville-Fortin, McGill: 1:57.57
3. Kent Goni Avilla, Laurier: 1:58.07
(W) 50M Butterfly
1. Kayla Noelle Sanchez, UBC: 25.85 -
U SPORTS RECORD
2.
Eloise Allen, UBC: 26.59
3.
Una Borchgrevink, UBC: 27.00
(M) 50M Butterfly
1. Eric Ginzburg, York: 23.05 -
U SPORTS RECORD
2.
Kai Lilienthal, UBC: 23.14
3.
Finlay Knox, UBC: 23.35
(W) 800 SC Meter Freestyle Relay
1. UBC (
Anna Dumont-Belanger,
Emma O'Croinin,
Camryn Stannard,
Kayla Sanchez): 7:54.04
2. McGill (Naomie Lo, Elizabeth Ling, Iris Tinmouth, Maya McGhan): 8:07.88
3. Calgary (Alexanne Lepage, Hannah Johnsen, Emily De Jager, Hannah Bennett): 8:10.98
(M) 800 SC Meter Freestyle Relay
1. UBC (
Blake Tierney,
Jake Gaunt,
Olivier Risk,
Finlay Knox): 7:07.23 -
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Toronto (Ben Winterborn, Brendan Oswald, Bill Dongfang, Quinn Matteis): 7:16.24
3. Victoria (Ricky Millns, Elijah Agostinelli-Stull, Matthew MacDonald, Keir Ogilvie): 7:17.33
DAY 1
(W) 200M Freestyle
1. Kayla Noelle Sanchez, UBC: 1:54.74
2.
Emma O'Croinin, UBC: 1:56.44
3.
Anna Dumont-Belanger, UBC: 1:59.13
(M) 200M Freestyle
1. Paul McKenzie, Alberta: 1:47.02
2. Bill Dongfang, Toronto: 1:47.07
3. Ben Winterborn, Toronto: 1:47.55
(W) 100M Breaststroke
1. Alexanne Lepage, Calgary: 1:05.79
2.
Eloise Allen, UBC: 1:07.41
3. Romane Hereng, Montreal: 1:08.72
(M) 100M Breaststroke
1. Nicholas Duncan, Calgary: 59.38
2. Hugo Lemesle, Ottawa: 59.48
3. Nathan Thomas, Toronto: 59.60
3.
Justice Migneault, UBC: 59.60
(W) 100M Butterfly
1. Nina Mollin, Toronto: 59.71
2.
Una Borchgrevink, UBC: 1:00.03
3. Brooklyn Weins, UBC: 1:00.67
(M) 100M Butterfly
1. Eric Ginzburg, York: 51.89
2.
Wells Ginzer, UBC: 52.53
3. Thomas Mcdonald, Calgary: 52.76
(W) 50M Backstroke
1.
Eloise Allen, UBC: 27.45
2.
Bridget Burton, UBC: 27.50
3. Tatum Connor, Brock: 27.65
(M) 50M Backstroke
1.
Finlay Knox, UBC: 23.39 –
U SPORTS RECORD
2.
Blake Tierney, UBC: 23.74
3. Andrew Herman: Toronto: 23.77
(W) 400M Medley
1. Alexanne Lepage, Calgary: 4:42.17
2. Olivia Brendzan, Alberta: 4:43.53
3.
Emma Spence, UBC: 4:45.53
(M) 400M Medley
1.
Tanner Cole, UBC: 4:13.67
2. Jacob Gallant, Toronto: 4:16.08
3.
Hugh McNeill, UBC: 4:17.12
(W) 400M Freestyle Relay
1. UBC (
Emma O'Croinin,
Anna Dumont-Belanger,
Bridget Burton, Kayla Noelle Sanchez): 3:37.78
2. Calgary (Eliza Housman, Hannah Johnsen, Alexanne Lepage, Hannah Bennett): 3:44.54
3. Toronto (Kayla Houlder, Gemma Norman, Katie Marovino, Teagan Vander Leek): 3:45.95
(M) 400M Freestyle Relay
1. UBC (
Finlay Knox,
Blake Tierney,
Jake Gaunt,
Joel Blanco): 3:11.80 –
U SPORTS RECORD
2. Toronto (Andrew Herman, Ben Winterborn, Liam Weaver, Albert Bouley): 3:14.58
3. Calgary (Gibson Black, Stephen Calkins, Ethan Fast, Thomas Mcdonald): 3:15.40
