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!

Perfectionism is important to many – even more so in the world of sport.

However, when talking with Ben Loewen, you see clearly that he’s the kind of individual who emphasizes that the most important part of being successful is consistency.

There are times, after a workout, in a classroom or even spare time, when Loewen recalls the words in a quote from actor, wrestler and businessman Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

"Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency.

Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come."

You likely won’t find Loewen among the list of elite athletes in the world. Maybe not today, but tomorrow and in the months to come is another story.

Very energetic, gung-ho and focussed on swimming, Loewen dreams of the day he hopes will come when he qualifies to swim for Canada at the Summer Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles. Until then, Loewen has some unfinished business to target.

Tall, slim and young – he turns 21 in February of 2025 – Loewen spends a minimum of 20 hours a week training and lifting weights. He also is glued to academic success. Now in his third year, he’s inching towards a degree in finance and commerce while a student at the University of Toronto.

That’s also the place that, for years, has had the most successful university swim program in Canada. Swimmers have also heard the name Byron Macdonald, who is a former world class and Olympic swimmer along with having the legendary title of head coach at U of T.

“I’m a very lucky person – U of T is the best in coaching, facilities and education,” said Loewen, who is regarded as one of the top male swimmers in the Canadian university system.

Loewen knows that some people develop success from failures. Others resort to using the term poor, or disappointing, times in races. Loewen knows about that – and it’s fueled him with flaming enthusiasm – to reach for the top.

Going into the 2024 Canadian Trials, his personal best time in the 200-metres butterfly was one minute, 57.98 seconds. But Loewen finished seventh, and didn’t make the cut for the Canadian contingent that went to the Summer Olympics in Paris.

“I was disappointed and was hoping to make it – but it didn’t happen,” he recalled of the race at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre. “Mental performance is critical. So is consistency. You can have a good practise, workout and race – but it can’t only be once. Frequently and consistency. It takes a great deal of time, work and determination. I know I can do better.

Loewen, an honors graduate in his secondary school years at Toronto’s Greenwood College and former team Most Valuable Player recipient in swimming, has set his swim objective to shave three seconds from his best time.

When most high school athletes like to tinker with post-secondary studies away from home, Loewen thought about heading west to Alberta and British Columbia. But then came a connection.

In grade 12, Loewen may have been the top male swimmer in Canada. His attitude and glowing success – which included some 20 age records while performing with the CREST Swim Club - led to a home visit by the U of T coach. Macdonald knew Loewen would fit nicely in a recruiting class.

Fast forward and Loewen, who has a basket full of other awards and accomplishments, owns three swim records with U of T.

He knows about challenges – and that a badge of honour is also defined as hard work which leads to people developing character, motivation for themselves and an expansion of achievement.

There’s a saying that successful people are not always gifted, they just work harder.

“I always try to have a smile and represent the values of putting out my best effort,” he said. “When that doesn’t happen, I certainly hear about it from my coach because he knows I am focussed and want to win when the opportunity is there.”

A high energy youngster, his parents signed him up for swim classes. At age six, he launched his competitive swim career and credits CREST club coaches Fred Arzaga and the late Chico Mineque, for getting him attracted and comfortable in the sport. He also has high accolades for another coach, Che Mineque, who emphasized the importance of consistency along with the enjoyment of the sport.

“There was a time when I was a sore loser, freaked out and it was pretty bad stuff,” he recalled. “Things have changed, maturity and always striving to do better in everything because I know hard work, staying focussed and consistency lead to great things.”

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.