Loewen, Mollin, Nicholls, Rhooms, Shemirani, Young named OUA athletes of the week

Graphic on predominantly blue background featuring action photos of Toronto Varsity Blues Ben Loewen, Toronto Varsity Blues Nina Mollin, Carleton Ravens Owen Nicholls, TMU Bold?s Aaron Rhooms, Waterloo Warriors Niki Shemirani and Guelph Gryphons Kelyn Young with her name, school, along with the OUA Athletes of the Week logo and large white 'Athletes of the Week' text in the lower third
February 10, 2025

Burlington, Ont. – Ben Loewen, Nina Mollin, Owen Nicholls, Aaron Rhooms, Niki Shemirani, and Kelyn Young have been named OUA athletes of the week for the period ending February 10, 2025.  

Ben Loewen, Toronto Varsity Blues, Swimming  

University of Toronto standout Loewen was named the 2025 OUA men's swimmer of the year in leading the Varsity Blues to their 21st consecutive OUA banner this past weekend. The third-year commerce student from Toronto won four individual gold medals, three of which came in OUA record time, while also helping the Blues to an OUA record victory in the 400 medley relay.  

Loewen set new OUA marks in the 100 butterfly (52.41), 200 butterfly (1:55.54) and 100 backstroke (52.86), while also winning the 200 backstroke title (1:55.40). He then swam the butterfly-leg of Toronto’s OUA record-setting 400 medley relay victory (3:36.39). 

Nina Mollin, Toronto Varsity Blues, Swimming  

Third-year swimming sensation Mollin was named the 2025 OUA women's swimmer of the year as the Varsity Blues claimed their 11th straight provincial tile this past weekend. Hailing from Schaumburg, Illinois, Mollin also won four individual and one relay gold in leading the Blues to victory.  

Mollin swept the individual medley events, winning both the 200-metre (2:13.99) and 400-metre (4:44.60) races, while also earning the top spot in the 200 butterfly (2:12.39) and 200 breaststroke (2:32.34). She also helped the Blues to victory in the 400 freestyle relay on Day 3. 

Owen Nicholls, Carleton Ravens, Curling  

Carleton skip Nicholls led the Ravens to the OUA championship over the weekend while collecting the conference MVP award. Fresh off winning a U20 provincial title, the Haliburton, Ont. product led the Ravens to a 4-0 record in pool play, followed by a sweep of the playoffs.  

The third-year psychology student led the Ravens to an 8-5 win for the gold medal over the four-time defending champion Laurier Golden Hawks.  

Aaron Rhooms, TMU Bold, Basketball  

Rhooms, the leading scorer in the OUA, had an incredible week, powering the TMU Bold to two victories. He delivered a career-high 43 points—the highest in the conference and across the country this season—while adding 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the year in a dominant performance against the Brock Badgers. Rhooms was highly efficient, shooting 15-for-23 from the field and sinking seven three-pointers on 12 attempts.  

In the second game of the week against York, the fourth-year guard contributed 26 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, shooting 10-of-22 from the field. His efforts helped TMU overcome a 14-point halftime deficit, outscoring the Lions by 30 in the second half to secure an 81-65 victory. 

Niki Shemirani, Waterloo Warriors, Squash 

Shemirani had a standout performance at the OUA Squash Championships this past weekend. The second-year systems design engineering student led the Waterloo Warriors to a 4-3 bronze medal win over the long-time defending champions from Queen’s.  

Individually, Shemirani finished the weekend with a perfect 5-0 record across her matches, not only claiming all-star recognition, but OUA MVP honours as well.  

Kelyn Young, Guelph Gryphons, Wrestling 

Young claimed gold in the women's 50kg weight class at the 2025 OUA Wrestling Championships and was named OUA women’s wrestler of the year for her performance. Young, with three first place finishes under her belt heading into the banner season finale, continued her outstanding season in Sault Ste. Marie.  

She captured all three of her matches in the pool play, with two coming via fall, before she won her gold medal match via technical fall. This marks the Brampton, Ont. product's second gold in her OUA career in the women's 50kg weight class.