2025 OUA Spotlight Swimmer Series

The 2025 OUA Championships are coming up February 7-9 in Markham! Meet some of the Ontario University swimmers competing in this new series!

There is something about Hannah Gallagher that radiates a vibe of caring.

She’s also someone who is relentless and, in many cases, unstoppable.

Whether it’s achievements in the university classroom, progress in competitive swimming or her day-to-day positive approach to life, her biggest asset may be in another vocation.

The 20-year-old is in her third year of studies at the University of Waterloo. A three-time honors student, she’s inching closer to a Bachelor of Arts degree in the field of social development. It’s not inaccurate to say that her career plans, at least for now, seem to be in the direction of social work.

“I care about the well-being of people and society,” said the Waterloo native. “In everything I do, and going forward, I want to see how my actions can make a positive difference with people and the community.”

A word she holds dearly is – happiness.

“I do a fair amount of volunteer work, offering up my assistance so people can take advantage of opportunities they would normally not get around to doing,” she said. “To me, it’s happiness. Volunteering - I find it rewarding. Making people feel included and treated equally is important to me.”

Gallagher doesn’t have to look far to find ways to help.

Her university swim coach is Jacky Beckford Henriques, who is also co-founder of an organization called Alliance which strives “to inform, educate and effect change to (the University of Waterloo) culture” and beyond.

On the topic of swimming, Gallagher is no rookie. She has competed at the Canadian Nationals three times, owns three medals earned at the 2024 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) championships and is a two-time academic All-Canadian. She also won the 50-metres butterfly in the B Final at the Canadian university (USports) championship.

In addition to the medals in the pool, 2024 has been a superb year for Gallagher in several other ways. She was chosen Female Swimmer of the Year at her university and was among the eight OUA swimmers, selected by Swim Ontario, to compete in a 2025 Euromeet event in Luxembourg, which borders the countries of Belgium, France and Germany.

Always intrigued and curious, Gallagher remembers her start-up years of swimming lessons with the City of Waterloo. These would pave the way to joining the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) as a seven-year-old, where she would earn club meet awards and set several records.

A year later, at age eight, Gallagher was so thrilled with a swim award that she was invited to show it at her grade school - Lester B. Pearson Public School.

“It was my first medal at an event - and it was in the 25-metres backstroke,” she recalled. “I was so happy - and I also remember that it took months for the medal to arrive.”

Leaving Waterloo Collegiate as one of the oldest students in the school was different than being one of the youngest in university.

“I picked the (University of) Waterloo because of the academic program, the school’s reputation and the swimming program,” she said in a telephone interview. “I did struggle in my first year when my swimming just wasn’t at the level where I had wanted it to be.

“Things did change for the better as I saw my times improve in second year. Stress, pressure and just getting adjusted may have been factors. I am a much better swimmer now and that’s because of hard work, my team and great coaching.”

When asked if she considered herself to be the best swimmer on her university women’s team, Gallagher didn’t hesitate with an answer.

“I never consider myself to be the best because every swimmer has her own strengths,” said Gallagher who indicated that she practices 16 hours a week and is in the pool almost 12 months of the year.

“I admire my teammates for so many reasons, and they bring out the best in me. Support from them, and my coach, has helped drive me to my personal best times in the 50 and 100-metres butterfly at the OUA championships – that was achieving a huge goal for me.”

When taking a break from swimming and studies, Gallagher’s volunteer work has left a positive impact on the lives of others in the community. In 2023, it was at a local food bank in Waterloo sorting foods or quality-checking produce. She has also coached the younger groups in swimming.

Swim Ontario, in conjunction with the OUA, values the commitment to the sport by athletes, coaches and officials in Ontario and Canadian universities. This story is part of a series that has the spotlight shining on a variety of individuals, and their post-secondary institutions, who excel in academics, swimming and community life.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.