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!

It’s always reassuring to know that there are real people, and not just fictional characters out there, who like to inspire others.

People who absorb the wisdom of others, incorporate their own thoughts, strengthen knowledge and behaviours and know what needs to be done to be rewarding. In case it occurred to you, those rewards aren’t always in the form of trophies and medals.

You may not know of Michelle Wang – but you will after this story.

Born in Toronto, but since she was a toddler, her home has been in a community in the town of Port Elgin, located on the Saugeen shores of Lake Huron. To make it easier, call it a three-hour drive northwest of Toronto.

It’s where she graduated from high school with four consecutive years of academic honors – including a 98 per cent average in grade 12. It’s where she was also chosen Most Valuable Player on the swim team at the same time as focussing on the competitive route with a club – the Breakers Swim Team.

For Wang, like thousands of others, initiation to swimming came when her parents signed her up, as a youngster, for lessons. At age 8, Wang took to the competitive side of the sport. Short distance sprinter became her specialty with dedication to three strokes – freestyle, butterfly and backstroke.

As a youngster, Wang showed increasing passion and enthusiasm that involved helping people.

“I liked problem-solving and later on, biology interested me and as a kid I wanted to be a doctor,” she said. “There’s lots of fulfillment in understanding those around me and also advocating for them.”

Wang would make the decision to attend McMaster University in Hamilton and is currently in her third year working towards a degree in Health Sciences. Yes, her academic grades haven’t changed – honors in her first and second year, which includes back-to-back years of recognition on the Dean’s Honour Roll.

Academic prosperity rubbed off with achievements and progress as a swimmer. But Wang, focussed on victory in many ways, and attributes a great deal of her swim success to Jeff Horseman and Jeff Budau – her club coaches.

“They are caring and compassionate people,” touted Wang, who remembers the initial desire to thrive in the 100-metres freestyle. “I wouldn’t be the swimmer I am today if it wasn’t for their support and encouragement from the start. They were instrumental in many ways – from making me technically proficient, to improving strokes and times, to feeling valued and supported.”

Now, devoting some 16 hours a week to training in a six-lane 50-metres saltwater pool at McMaster’s David Braley Athletic Centre, Wang is benefitting from the direction of swim coach Grey Fairley. Judging from her times in the past year, Fairley and Wang are working wonders.

“His belief in me has helped me immensely believe in myself,” said the 20-year-old Wang. “I have not only gained so much in the sport, but also in becoming a leader and team captain. (Fairley) trusts me a great deal as a person, an athlete – and it is meaningful.”

While Wang set numerous club records back in Port Elgin, the path to success has continued at McMaster. She medalled in both years at McMaster focussing on the freestyle event in gold medal 4x50-metres relay victories at the Ontario University Athletics championships. That first university medal, back in 2023 in London, was momentous.

As for OUA individual records, that’s still a future objective.

In 2024, Wang recorded personal best times in four events. There was the 50-metres butterfly at a meet in St. Catharines timed in 27.83 seconds. At the OUA finals, she recorded a 28.95 in the 50-metres backstroke. At the Canadian USport championships, Wang had best times in the 50—metres freestyle at 25.91 and the 100-metres butterfly clocked in one minute, 02.25 seconds.

“I look at my achievements as a swimmer, student and individual,” she said. “I prioritize certain things and approach to life. I’m focussed on growth than outcomes. It’s the overall picture of what can I learn no matter the outcome because everything connects.”

Wang does have a special highlight in swimming.

“It was making the qualification cut for the 2024 Olympic Trials in Toronto,” said Wang as her voice pumped up. “I needed a time of 26.87 in the 50-metres freestyle and I swam 26.73. The focus wasn’t on making the Canadian Olympic team, but it was the journey, the goal, and lots of learning. It meant so much to me – more than a medal.”

Some may think that Wang devotes her life to academics and swimming. Well, not so. She’s a lover of the arts.

When she’s not deep in studies or improving in the pool, she chills out by painting. Watercolours and various acrylics appear to be her favorites. One of her drawings is in the form of a mural at her high school. She’s also quite talented in music, plays the piano and enjoys the works of composer Frédéric Chopin.

“I have been very fortunate in learning and growth, which I continue to find fascinating,” said Wang. “But I’m a person who puts a great deal of value in making others feel good. I can see, thanks to great teammates and coaches, where actions can be impactful. My role is being a leader, a connector and a supporter.

“Every individual has an incredible capacity to influence the environment they are part of. How you use it, will change your relationship with people around you and in life. Everyone has the ability, to be kind and patient.”

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.