This past weekend concluded the competitive season for the Nipissing University Rowing Team. The athletes journeyed to the historic Henley course in St. Catherines in hopes of producing strong results at the Ontario University Athletics Development Regatta.
It was a quality performance with two podium finishes over the four races in which the team competed. The Junior Varsity Women’s Double Sculls boat of Brianna Jeans and Olivia Jeans came in second to perennial powerhouse Western University while beating several established crews, including University of Toronto and Carleton University. Brianna, the elder sister in the boat was ecstatic with their result. “We are so proud of our effort this past season. Our hard work and determination paid off with our podium finish. We're so grateful that we could achieve our potential with the support of Nipissing University and our amazing coaches,” said Jeans.
The Novice Coxed Four crew of Hailey Quigley, Leah Currie, Angela Hua, Emma Langill, and Catherine Ridsdale placed third in their race. Ridsdale, the coxswain who motivates the rowers and executes race strategy commented that the race went as well as could be expected. “The girls worked incredibly hard and improved a lot during the week leading to the championships. We all worked together as a team and are very satisfied with the outcome,” said Ridsdale.
Races were held over a 2000 m straight course with up to eight boats racing side by side. Teams from across the province, as well as Montreal’s McGill University, all came with the goal of winning. Conditions were cool, but clear, and the forecasted high winds stayed away. It was a great day for racing and Nipissing University’s upstart crews took advantage.
Although Nipissing’s Novice Eight with coxwain (Pippa Fitzpatrick, Marley Fairfield, Larissa McKelvie, Laura Murray, Lisa Davies, Lauren Aarts, Jenna Littleton, Kylie-Anne Grube, and Kirstin Loates failed to make the final, they placed second in their semi-final race and look forward to competing in Junior Varsity next year. The Junior Varsity Men's Double (Zach Pecore and Matt Senos), competing against much more experienced crews, stayed in contact during their heat but did not advance to the final.
The team of undergraduate students has been training together on the water since late August with daily early morning practices on Trout Lake. Many of the rowers are novice or first year rowers. In fact, the Jeans sister who won silver in their event only began rowing last year. The team’s success can be attributed to the athletes’ dedication to hard work and the support of the volunteer coaches, Dean Hay, Rob Matthews, former National team rower Brian Seibert, Nadine Cooper, Krystal Starr and Larry Lanctot. Of the team’s rapid improvement since the program’s beginning just three years ago, head coach Hay commented, “We’re very happy with the progress we’ve made to date and we hope to take the next step and compete as a full varsity sport next year. The athletes are proving that they deserve to compete at the top level.”
The coaches and athletes would like to thank Sandy and Kevin O’Grady, Dr. Mike DeGagné, Ms. Marianne Berube, Mr. Gord Durnan, Mr. Greg Ducharme, and Mr. Vito Castiglione for their generous support of Nipissing University Rowing.
