October 27, 2022
Banner Season: OUA rowers set to race their way to victory at championship regatta
Burlington, Ont. - Teams will be looking for a strong showing, along with a stroke of good luck, when they head to the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course for the 2022 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Rowing Championships. 14 crews will come together to race their way through the regatta on Saturday, October 29, setting their sights on the coveted conference banners that, over the past decade, have only been hoisted by the Western Mustangs and Brock Badgers.
Championship Details
When: Saturday, October 29 | FULL SCHEDULE
Where: Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course
Participating Schools (14): Brock Badgers, Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons (host), Laurentian Voyageurs, McGill Athletics, McMaster Marauders, Nipissing Lakers, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, Ottawa Gee-Gees, Queen's Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Trent Excalibur, Waterloo Warriors, Western Mustangs
Defending Champions: W: Western Mustangs; M: Brock Badgers | ALL PAST CHAMPIONS
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Elisa Bolinger, Western Mustangs | Bolinger is bringing an impressive résumé to her third banner season appearance, having garnered great success against her conference competitors and beyond. In her debut, the Dublin, Ont. product placed first in the women's heavyweight 8+ and secured silver in the women's heavyweight 2-, before matching her result in the former in 2021 as well as capturing bronze in the women's heavyweight 4+. The third-year rower has also represented Canada at the 2022 World Rowing Championships, 2022 U23 World Rowing Championships, and the 2022 World Cup, experience that will undoubtedly be called upon in her quest for more hardware this weekend.
Sophie Corradini, Toronto Varsity Blues | A bronze medalist in the lightweight women's double at the 2021 OUA Championships, Corradini is back looking for more podium positioning after a strong 2022 campaign thus far. The product of Carlisle, Ont. won silver in the women's lightweight single at the Western Invitational, before taking the top prize at the same event at Trent, to go along with a bronze in the women's lightweight double. The strong results continued at the wind-shortened Brock Invitational, wherein she finished first in the women's lightweight single.
Alex Cowman, McMaster Marauders | A fifth-year student in his third year of eligibility, Cowman has cemented himself as an integral part of the Marauders rowing team. Winning a bronze in the men's lightweight 4+ a year ago at the conference championships, the mechanical engineering and management major is looking to land on the podium once again for the maroon machine. The Clinton, Ont. local is a standout in the classroom as well with his 3.7 GPA, doing well to balance academics with early mornings on the water and the responsibilities associated with being the president of McMaster Rowing.
Shaye de Paiva, Queen's Gaels | The third-year rower from Calgary, Alta. will be appearing in just her second championship after missing out on last year's festivities while away completing an internship. Working hard at her internship and in training throughout the year, however, the mining engineering student earned herself a position on the U23 national team this summer, representing Canada at the World Championships. de Paiva will look to use this international experience on the provincial stage in her return to OUA championship competition.
Brendan Edge, Carleton Ravens | A senior for the black birds, Edge looks to return to the podium at the OUA Championships after helping to lead his Ravens to three bronze medals at the last conference finale, including an impressive solo performance in the men's lightweight single. A strong leader on the Ravens team, the Arnprior, Ont. native's work ethic and dedication to the sport helps to drive a keen Carleton squad looking to make their way onto the OUA podium.
Stephen Harris, Brock Badgers | A key returnee from the 2021 OUA championship team, Harris continues to be a major contributor to the Badgers rowing team. Last season, the Guelph, Ont. native captured gold as part of the lightweight four and lightweight eight crews, while this season he has added further podium results at the Western Invitational, Head of the Trent, and Head of the Charles. Most impressively, however, he also claimed three gold medals this off-season competing at the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Rowan O'Neill, Brock Badgers | A veteran on the Brock women's team, O'Neill will look to add to her medal count at this year's provincial championship event. During the Badgers' run to a third-place showing a year ago, the Welland, Ont. product scored gold in the lightweight four. This season, meanwhile, the third-year rower has claimed first in the lightweight single and lightweight four at the Western Invitational and third in both events at the Head of the Trent.
Jaime Schweyer, Nipissing Lakers | The physical and health education student from Sudbury, Ont., who is considered to be a tall lightweight with a height of 5'8", is a competitive athlete and has a strong endurance capacity because of her background in both running and Nordic skiing as well. Among a team that is full of novices, Schweyer's competitive drive will be important as the group looks to gain valuable experience on the banner season stage this weekend.
Robert Walsh, Waterloo Warriors | Walsh, a rookie for the black and gold, started rowing as a novice during his first year at the University of Waterloo. The following summer, he made Team Nova Scotia and represented them at the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, competing in the men's 8+ and placing third in the men's 4-. The Halifax, Ont. local has since joined the varsity rowing team, taking on the Community Executive position, and he is looking forward to debuting on the banner season stage in the 1x.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
The defending champions on the men's side, the Badgers see several of their banner-winning rowers returning for the 2022 festivities. As such, the St. Catharines squad is focused on securing the top spot once again with a core of competitors that features, Harris, Thomas Markewich, Sam Stewart, and Michael Ciepiela, to name a few.
The Ravens women's crew is back to a full compliment of student-athletes, including a number of 2022 Canada Summer Games participants, and as a result, they are poised to make a climb up the OUA standings. Featuring a strong boat in the eight, Carleton enters as an experienced crew for their age and is ready to put their fellow conference competitors on notice as they move forward.
McMaster's women's team started the season strong with three podium finishes at the Western Invitational Regatta at the end of September, including a gold medal performance in the open women's double by Nathalie Hilbert and Kate Panzica. The Marauders will look to continue its small boat success that the program has become known for over the past few years and lock down an OUA medal in the process on Saturday.
Both of the Gaels teams arrived at training camp focused and prepared for a great season. Since then, the crews have been training hard, particularly in their small boats to promote technical development. Racing opportunities have been limited for the Gaels, similarly to many of their fellow competitors this weekend, but the Tricolour are heading into the championship focused on all the steps required for performance. There are no result-oriented expectations for Queen's; instead, they are staying in the moment and taking everything one stroke at a time.
The Varsity Blues women's team found early successes in the lead up to championship weekend and have been working hard to build further speed as the OUA finale draws near. Toronto's coach, Mark Williams, explains that the team is approaching the weekend's festivities the same way they have approached any regatta or competitive practice - with confidence and resolve to put down their best performances on race day.
The Waterloo Warriors have been growing fast, building up a strong foundation of lightweight rowers and some up-and-coming heavyweight men, as well as a healthier squad on the women's side. Both groups are looking to build on their results from a year ago, including the strong debut on the men's side wherein they placed third in the lightweight men's 2x and sixth in the lightweight men's 2-.
A favourite once again for the OUA banner, the Western women's crew understands that the result is by no means a foregone conclusion. The Mustangs will therefore be fighting for every point and placing possible across all racing categories, working to ensure that all of the team's boats are keeping their focus and executing their best race possible with the hopes of capturing their ninth consecutive OUA title and 29th in program history.
What They're Saying:
"I'm really looking forward to racing with my team again. I work with strong and disciplined women who keep rowing fun and competitive. I enjoy the uniqueness of the OUA circuit as I can experience the variation between racing both sculling and sweep events in the same regatta. It allows me to challenge myself and develop as an athlete." - Elisa Bolinger, Student-Athlete, Western Mustangs
"Queen's rowing is focusing on the process of excellence right now. We are completely engrossed in our development and are making strides every day. The goal for the championship is to stay in the moment, concentrating on doing every step to the best of our ability." - Katie Bruggeling, Head Coach, Queen's Gaels
"The whole team is very good, they work together well and they're a very keen, team-focused group." - Ed Fournier, Head Coach, Carleton Ravens
"The entire men's team is incredibly excited for the upcoming OUA Championships. We have trained hard since last year's OUAs to be in the place that we are now, and whoever wins the day will be determined by the work that was put in. We are confident that we will be able to put our best foot forward and compete with the top crews at this regatta." - Aiden Hembruff, Student-Athlete, Western Mustangs
"A lot can change over the five weeks from the first fall invitational event leading up to the OUA Championships, so our teams focused on continuing to work hard heading into this weekend." - Peter Somerwil, Head Coach, Brock Badgers
Championship Details
When: Saturday, October 29 | FULL SCHEDULE
Where: Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course
Participating Schools (14): Brock Badgers, Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons (host), Laurentian Voyageurs, McGill Athletics, McMaster Marauders, Nipissing Lakers, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks, Ottawa Gee-Gees, Queen's Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Trent Excalibur, Waterloo Warriors, Western Mustangs
Defending Champions: W: Western Mustangs; M: Brock Badgers | ALL PAST CHAMPIONS
Student-Athletes to Watch:
Elisa Bolinger, Western Mustangs | Bolinger is bringing an impressive résumé to her third banner season appearance, having garnered great success against her conference competitors and beyond. In her debut, the Dublin, Ont. product placed first in the women's heavyweight 8+ and secured silver in the women's heavyweight 2-, before matching her result in the former in 2021 as well as capturing bronze in the women's heavyweight 4+. The third-year rower has also represented Canada at the 2022 World Rowing Championships, 2022 U23 World Rowing Championships, and the 2022 World Cup, experience that will undoubtedly be called upon in her quest for more hardware this weekend.
Sophie Corradini, Toronto Varsity Blues | A bronze medalist in the lightweight women's double at the 2021 OUA Championships, Corradini is back looking for more podium positioning after a strong 2022 campaign thus far. The product of Carlisle, Ont. won silver in the women's lightweight single at the Western Invitational, before taking the top prize at the same event at Trent, to go along with a bronze in the women's lightweight double. The strong results continued at the wind-shortened Brock Invitational, wherein she finished first in the women's lightweight single.
Alex Cowman, McMaster Marauders | A fifth-year student in his third year of eligibility, Cowman has cemented himself as an integral part of the Marauders rowing team. Winning a bronze in the men's lightweight 4+ a year ago at the conference championships, the mechanical engineering and management major is looking to land on the podium once again for the maroon machine. The Clinton, Ont. local is a standout in the classroom as well with his 3.7 GPA, doing well to balance academics with early mornings on the water and the responsibilities associated with being the president of McMaster Rowing.
Shaye de Paiva, Queen's Gaels | The third-year rower from Calgary, Alta. will be appearing in just her second championship after missing out on last year's festivities while away completing an internship. Working hard at her internship and in training throughout the year, however, the mining engineering student earned herself a position on the U23 national team this summer, representing Canada at the World Championships. de Paiva will look to use this international experience on the provincial stage in her return to OUA championship competition.
Brendan Edge, Carleton Ravens | A senior for the black birds, Edge looks to return to the podium at the OUA Championships after helping to lead his Ravens to three bronze medals at the last conference finale, including an impressive solo performance in the men's lightweight single. A strong leader on the Ravens team, the Arnprior, Ont. native's work ethic and dedication to the sport helps to drive a keen Carleton squad looking to make their way onto the OUA podium.
Stephen Harris, Brock Badgers | A key returnee from the 2021 OUA championship team, Harris continues to be a major contributor to the Badgers rowing team. Last season, the Guelph, Ont. native captured gold as part of the lightweight four and lightweight eight crews, while this season he has added further podium results at the Western Invitational, Head of the Trent, and Head of the Charles. Most impressively, however, he also claimed three gold medals this off-season competing at the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
Rowan O'Neill, Brock Badgers | A veteran on the Brock women's team, O'Neill will look to add to her medal count at this year's provincial championship event. During the Badgers' run to a third-place showing a year ago, the Welland, Ont. product scored gold in the lightweight four. This season, meanwhile, the third-year rower has claimed first in the lightweight single and lightweight four at the Western Invitational and third in both events at the Head of the Trent.
Jaime Schweyer, Nipissing Lakers | The physical and health education student from Sudbury, Ont., who is considered to be a tall lightweight with a height of 5'8", is a competitive athlete and has a strong endurance capacity because of her background in both running and Nordic skiing as well. Among a team that is full of novices, Schweyer's competitive drive will be important as the group looks to gain valuable experience on the banner season stage this weekend.
Robert Walsh, Waterloo Warriors | Walsh, a rookie for the black and gold, started rowing as a novice during his first year at the University of Waterloo. The following summer, he made Team Nova Scotia and represented them at the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games, competing in the men's 8+ and placing third in the men's 4-. The Halifax, Ont. local has since joined the varsity rowing team, taking on the Community Executive position, and he is looking forward to debuting on the banner season stage in the 1x.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
The defending champions on the men's side, the Badgers see several of their banner-winning rowers returning for the 2022 festivities. As such, the St. Catharines squad is focused on securing the top spot once again with a core of competitors that features, Harris, Thomas Markewich, Sam Stewart, and Michael Ciepiela, to name a few.
The Ravens women's crew is back to a full compliment of student-athletes, including a number of 2022 Canada Summer Games participants, and as a result, they are poised to make a climb up the OUA standings. Featuring a strong boat in the eight, Carleton enters as an experienced crew for their age and is ready to put their fellow conference competitors on notice as they move forward.
McMaster's women's team started the season strong with three podium finishes at the Western Invitational Regatta at the end of September, including a gold medal performance in the open women's double by Nathalie Hilbert and Kate Panzica. The Marauders will look to continue its small boat success that the program has become known for over the past few years and lock down an OUA medal in the process on Saturday.
Both of the Gaels teams arrived at training camp focused and prepared for a great season. Since then, the crews have been training hard, particularly in their small boats to promote technical development. Racing opportunities have been limited for the Gaels, similarly to many of their fellow competitors this weekend, but the Tricolour are heading into the championship focused on all the steps required for performance. There are no result-oriented expectations for Queen's; instead, they are staying in the moment and taking everything one stroke at a time.
The Varsity Blues women's team found early successes in the lead up to championship weekend and have been working hard to build further speed as the OUA finale draws near. Toronto's coach, Mark Williams, explains that the team is approaching the weekend's festivities the same way they have approached any regatta or competitive practice - with confidence and resolve to put down their best performances on race day.
The Waterloo Warriors have been growing fast, building up a strong foundation of lightweight rowers and some up-and-coming heavyweight men, as well as a healthier squad on the women's side. Both groups are looking to build on their results from a year ago, including the strong debut on the men's side wherein they placed third in the lightweight men's 2x and sixth in the lightweight men's 2-.
A favourite once again for the OUA banner, the Western women's crew understands that the result is by no means a foregone conclusion. The Mustangs will therefore be fighting for every point and placing possible across all racing categories, working to ensure that all of the team's boats are keeping their focus and executing their best race possible with the hopes of capturing their ninth consecutive OUA title and 29th in program history.
What They're Saying:
"I'm really looking forward to racing with my team again. I work with strong and disciplined women who keep rowing fun and competitive. I enjoy the uniqueness of the OUA circuit as I can experience the variation between racing both sculling and sweep events in the same regatta. It allows me to challenge myself and develop as an athlete." - Elisa Bolinger, Student-Athlete, Western Mustangs
"Queen's rowing is focusing on the process of excellence right now. We are completely engrossed in our development and are making strides every day. The goal for the championship is to stay in the moment, concentrating on doing every step to the best of our ability." - Katie Bruggeling, Head Coach, Queen's Gaels
"The whole team is very good, they work together well and they're a very keen, team-focused group." - Ed Fournier, Head Coach, Carleton Ravens
"The entire men's team is incredibly excited for the upcoming OUA Championships. We have trained hard since last year's OUAs to be in the place that we are now, and whoever wins the day will be determined by the work that was put in. We are confident that we will be able to put our best foot forward and compete with the top crews at this regatta." - Aiden Hembruff, Student-Athlete, Western Mustangs
"A lot can change over the five weeks from the first fall invitational event leading up to the OUA Championships, so our teams focused on continuing to work hard heading into this weekend." - Peter Somerwil, Head Coach, Brock Badgers
