Rookie swimmer takes unique path to Varsity Blues program

From Singapore to Japan and now back to Canada, Ethan Jones has come a long way to make waves

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University of Toronto first-year swimmer Ethan Jones has had an interesting path to get to the Varsity Blues program.

Born in Canada, Jones developed a love for the sport at a young age while living in Singapore.

His interest grew as he became a competitive swimmer in Japan and has now come full circle with the freshman back in Canada to compete for the U of T team.

“My family had a pool in our apartment (in Singapore), so that would be a big incentive to spend time in the water,” said Jones, before practice Thursday at the Athletic Centre. “My biggest takeaway from that was just having fun and growing a love for swimming.”

Haley Klenk, herself a former Varsity Blues swimmer, coached Jones in British Columbia during the summers of his high school years and planted the seed for the talented freestyle specialist to come East.

Adapting to a new system and additional training proved to be a challenge at first.

“I’ve been adjusting to more metres, and that’s been a bit difficult. Still learning to properly use the training we have here.”

The first-year Kinesiology student admitted his first season was not his best, but he’ll only get better surrounded by the amazing team atmosphere with the Blues.

“I really do love the team because as a younger guy there’s been so many older swimmers that have been able to motivate me and give me guidance in a first year where there is a lot of uncertainty.”

The Japanese Canadian swimmer has had to add a new event to his repertoire as the provincial and national university standards require you to swim four events in the championship meets.

In high school, Jones specialized in freestyle sprints (50m and 100m) along with the 50m butterfly. Since coming to U of T he has had to increase his aerobic training and metres as he tackles the challenge of swimming the 200m freestyle event.

Ethan Jones practicing his butterfly stroke at practice Thursday. Jones specializes in freestyle, but is also a very strong butterfly swimmer representing the Varsity Blues in the 50 metre fly race. (Photo by Braden Morrison).

The freshman swimmer’s hard work and perseverance hasn’t gone unnoticed though.

“He got a lot better after Christmas, and of course then his times started dropping and he started to challenge the qualifying times to get to the next level,” said legendary Varsity Blues head coach and former Olympian Byron MacDonald.

“He knows now what it’s going to take and he’s ready to really commit and get even better next year.”

Jones understands the history of the storied program he is swimming for and he’s looking forward to not only improve for himself, but to help the team succeed.

“Here a lot of the aspect is representing the school, every time you put on the cap you’re racing for the T.”