The University of Toronto Varsity Blues won't have far to go as they travel to the Markham Pan Am Centre for the 2026 U SPORTS Swimming Championships, hosted by McMaster University from Mar. 12-14.

After winning a 22nd straight provincial title, the No. 2 nationally ranked Varsity Blues men are set to once again challenge for a national banner. Last season, the U of T men earned team silver, finishing the three-day national showcase with 17 total medals.

Meanwhile, the Varsity Blues women claimed their 12th straight OUA banner just a few weeks ago and will enter the national showcase as the No. 2 ranked team in the country. The women will be looking to improve on a fourth-place finish at the national championship a season ago, aiming for a return to the overall podium after an influx of spectacular first-year talent.

The 2026 U SPORTS Championships begin on Thursday (Mar. 12) morning at 9:30 a.m., followed by finals at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at mcmaster.universitytickets.com. Races will be live streamed on CBC Sports digital platforms.

MEN'S PREVIEW: Leading a strong veteran group of U of T men will be fourth-year finance and economics student Ben Loewen. Delivering on another standout year, Loewen has recently represented Team Canada at the FISU Summer World University Games and was selected for the 2026 Commonwealth Games. At the OUA Championships he earned a career grand slam, winning his fourth 200m backstroke provincial gold, and claimed the Dr. Jeno Tehani IM Award for his gold medal 200m IM swim. Familiar to the national stage, he has already earned seven individual U SPORTS medals including national gold in the 200m IM, and he appears in form to add even more.

The backstroke talent continues with fourth-year veteran Andrew Herman and second-year Varsity Blue Ben Winterborn. The pair have only gotten better through the challenge of competing against each other, consistently breaking OUA records in the 50m and 100m backstrokes. In addition to their own accomplishments, the pair also serve as key contributors in relays.

There will be plenty of names to watch on the board including fellow veterans Carter Buck, Liam Weaver, Bill Dongfang, Michael Sava, and Quinn Matteis. As well, first-year standout Elijah Daley and last season's U SPORTS rookie of the year Nathan Thomas will both be looked at for more points in the team totals.

WOMEN'S PREVIEW: Now a two-time OUA Swimmer of the Year, Nina Mollin continues to be a versatile swimmer in the pool for U of T. At the OUA Championships she became a two-time grand slam champion, winning for a fourth time in her career both the 200m butterfly and 200m IM. She also added gold in the 100m butterfly. On the national stage, the three-time U SPORTS All-Canadian will enter as defending champion in all three events. In total she holds eight national gold medals, with the potential to add even more this week.

A major impact for the Blues success this season has been an influx of talent including 2026 OUA Rookie of the Year Chloe Danks. The life science student earned provincial gold in the 200m breaststroke and silver in the 100m breaststroke at her first provincial championships. She was also joined by fellow rookie Maria Cosic, Varsity Blues veteran Teagan Vander Leek, and Mollin in an OUA record-setting 4x100 medley relay.

Additional first-year OUA medalists for U of T included Abbi Bahler, Milena Cosic, Natalie Hocevar, Julie Nolan-McCarthy; all four of which will make their U SPORTS Championships debut.