2025 OUA Swimmer Spotlight 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 nothing wrong with thinking small and big at the same time.

For many of us, it’s in our nature and shows up in the day-to-day challenges.

Kent Goni Avila, who is from Mexican and Spanish heritage, likes the educational support that comes from a small university setting and, as an athlete, thrives on the confidence associated with a modest and close-knit team.

That hasn’t stopped him from thinking big – as in sizable victories in races.

“You start small and think big,” said the 21-year-old swimmer now in his fourth year of studying Business at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo. “The goal, be it in a career or in sports, is to accomplish more.”

Goni Avila is at the important stage in his life where his education ends with, what he hopes will be, a university degree later this year. Not one to wait until he walks across the podium at gets his award of four years of studies, he’s already looking for employment opportunities.

There’s also the other important factor – one that takes up some 20 hours a week devoted to weight training and swimming laps.

Over the years, he’s piled up impressive race times and three times was recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in swimming. At Laurier, Goni Avila is the owner of 10 individual records and four more on relay teams. Those came on the short course with four more on the longer 50-metre pool.

When talking to him, he’s adamant that the 2024/25 season may very well be his break-out year.

Twice recognized as an all-star in the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) and a former Rookie of the Year, Goni Avila recorded personal best times in eight events in 2024.

“It was a good year for me – and I needed one,” said the former Ontario high school scholar in his graduating year at St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic School in Richmond Hill. “The pandemic shut down my last year (of swimming) in high school and that’s when I had thought about going to university in the United States and a possible scholarship.”

Laurier and Goni Avila became a pair after his research revealed that the university was small, had an educational program he was interested in and a small swim team. This meant that he had more access to the coaching staff.

Growing with, what was then a small program, Goni Avila has done his part in helping develop the team into a contender in the OUA. Laurier has surged in popularity and, on the competitive circuit, has climbed from ninth place to fifth in Canada’s largest province of university competition.

“I made the right choice – but I’m also in a co-op program and that takes up time away from the campus, leaving me to rush back to practise,” he said.

Goni Avila learned to swim, like most toddlers in municipal swim classes – but things changed when he turned eight years old.

“As a kid, I just wanted to learn to swim and never thought of being a competitive swimmer,” said Goni Avila of his time with the Richmond Hill Aquatic Club. “Things progressed quickly, and I was working hard on my technique and timing in all strokes.”

The 6-foot-4 swimmer joined the RAMAC Aquatic Club in Toronto and it wasn’t long before he was a three-time finalist at the USport championships – the Canadian University finals.

“There’s still lots more to go in my swimming career,” added Goni Avila, whose biggest moment in the pool was in 2022. “The Canadian Junior Nationals in Montreal – I competed in four events and won three gold medals.”

Next up, after the OUA and USport finals, is fulfilling a dream come true.

“Going to Germany for the FISU Games in July of this year,” he said. “For the 200-metres individual medley, I need a qualifying time of two minutes, 01.97 seconds. So far, my best is around 2:05.00. I only have one chance to qualify and that’s at the Canadian Open in Edmonton in April.”

The FISU Games, also referred to as the World University Games, is a multi-sport event organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation.

Stress, anxiety, tension and so much more encompass his life these days – but that’s only motivated him to work harder, stay focussed and not give up on the dream.

“Everything has gone great for me so far – school, swim, the university experience,” said Goni Avila. “I just want to see how far I can go (in swimming) after Laurier.”

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.

Images: WLU

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.