Banner Season: Rowers ready to race toward the finish line with OUA titles at stake
Burlington, Ont. – With racers ready to row their way to victory at the iconic Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course, 14 teams are preparing to paddle their way into the 2023 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Rowing Championships. With 20 disciplines making their way to the water on Saturday, October 28th, it will be a fight to the finish line to see if the Western Mustangs and Brock Badgers continue their recent dominance or if another squad ultimately prevails.
Championship Details:
When: Saturday, October 28th, 2023
Where: Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course
Participating Schools (14): Brock Badgers, Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, Laurentian Voyageurs, McGill Athletics, McMaster Marauders, Nipissing Lakers, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks (host), Ottawa Gee-Gees, Queen’s Gaels, Toronto Varsity Blues, Trent Excalibur, Waterloo Warriors, Western Mustangs
Defending Champions: Western Mustangs (W); Brock Badgers (M)
Student Athletes to Watch:
Kennedy Burrows, Ottawa Gee-Gees | Entering the weekend on a high, Burrows is looking for a victorious banner season appearance representing the Garnet and Grey. Last season’s team MVP was invited to the U23 Team Canada camp, on the heels of a first-place finish in lightweight singles at the OUA Championships and silver at the Canadian University Championships in 2022.
Jonny Diakopoulos, McMaster Marauders | Diakopoulos is set to make his debut at the OUA Rowing Championships this weekend. His journey in the sport began just last year when he joined the McMaster novice program, and since then, he has proven to be an invaluable addition to the team. With his passion and dedication, the kinesiology major has quickly become a positive asset to the squad and his growth in the sport has been nothing short of impressive.
Connor Dodds, Brock Badgers | Dodds is no stranger to the championship stage, having not only competed for OUA Championships, but also racing at the U23 World Championships last summer. Having taken a bronze medal at the latter in lightweight fours, he continued to add to his hardware haul with two gold medals at the Guelph Open and another three first-place finishes at his home invitational. It is safe to say Dodds will be among those leading the charge for more podium finishes on Saturday.
Isabella & Zoe Durcak, Brock Badgers | At the three university domestic events, the Durcak duo won four events, including three lightweight doubles races and the lightweight fours at the Brock Invitational. The Stoney Creek, Ont. natives will bring their undefeated stretch of racing in the discipline to the banner season stage and continue what has been a dominant performance therein across the varsity circuit in 2023.
Claire Ellison, Queen’s Gaels | Just shy of taking home the banner last year, Ellison and the Gaels are ready for redemption at this year’s OUA Championships. The civil engineering major from Halifax, N.S. has won the women’s pair at the conference finale twice, as well as bronze at the 2023 U23 World Championships in women’s eight. Racing in the women’s pairs and fours this weekend, Ellison is ready to play a leading role for the Tricolour’s banner aspirations this weekend.
Jacob Hallman, Waterloo Warriors | Diving head-first into a new sport, Hallman has found his passion for rowing over the years. After moving into sculling for his second year with the team, he has increased his proficiency in the discipline, not to mention his love and skill for the sport. The Waterloo team captain, entering his second OUA Championship this weekend, will look to showcase his passion and talents alongside his fellow conference competitors.
Aidan Hembruff, Western Mustangs | Competing at the highest level, Hembruff is ready to earn a podium finish once again at this year’s OUA Championships. Having previously finished third in the U23 pairs at the 2023 National Rowing Championships and medaling at the conference finale with the Mustangs last year, the national level rower from Ottawa, Ont. has his sights set on continued success alongside his talented Western squad.
Leslie Kelly, Western Mustangs | In addition to being a team captain, Kelley is also the Mustangs’ longest-tenured student-athlete. Since starting with the purple and white in 2017 as a novice, the former Canadian University Rowing Championship gold medalist has continued making waves with the perennial powerhouse, and will look to do more of the same in her fifth OUA Championships appearance.
Sarah Ribey, Guelph Gryphons | A junior from Atikokan, Ont., Ribey has been making a splash in her previous competitions this fall. Earning a second-place finish in lightweight women’s singles at the team’s home invitational and a third-place result at the Brock invitational earlier this year, Ribey is looking to carve out a spot on the championship podium as well with another medal-earning result at Henley.
Taylor Ruzgys, Ontario Tech Ridgebacks | A team leader on and off the water, Ruzgys is a veteran for the host squad as part of their championship contingent. The senior from Amherstburg, Ont., who helps coordinate just about everything regarding the team, will also look to play a role in helping her team rise up the team ranks when all is said and done this weekend.
Michelle Tutyunik, Nipissing Lakers | A newcomer to the championship scene, the first-year Laker is hoping to make an early mark in her varsity tenure. The physical and health education major has a very consistent long and strong stroke, and will make her banner season debut at stroke seat of the fours and eights this weekend.
Storylines to Keep an Eye On:
Looking to defend their men’s title, the Brock Badgers have proven to be an extremely competitive group that is ready to compete among the conference’s best. While the men look to repeat, the women’s crew have also built a solid foundation that they hope will push them toward capturing their first OUA banner in program history.
The Guelph Gryphons are a young team hoping to make a podium finish this weekend. With a few key athletes racking up podium finishes throughout the season thus far on both the men’s and women’s side, the Gryphons show promise and look to cap off their season with another strong performance.
It is a unique situation for the McMaster men’s crew this weekend, as all varsity athletes last year have graduated. Over 80% of the men’s team came from the Marauders novice program in 2022, as they continue to work together to grow their skills and prepare for their first OUA Championships.
A podium finish is the goal this year for the Ottawa Gee-Gees who are looking to claim a medal on both the men and women’s side. With the women having strong showings at all the regattas this season, they are looking forward to perform at the highest level and medal for the first time since 2021. Coming off a bronze medal finish at last year’s OUA championships, the men’s team is pushing for another top three finish this weekend.
Coming off of podium finishes in both men’s and women’s categories a year ago, the Queen’s Gaels crews are fighting to take over the top spot at this year’s OUA Championships. They look forward to taking some hardware home using their drive, determination, and tight-knit community to support each other in reaching their ultimate goals on the water.
A mix of chemistry and talent, both the men’s and women’s Varsity Blues teams are looking to bring some momentum into the weekend. The 8+ crews have been extremely powerful on the water to this point, with the women completing an undefeated season thus far and the men winning silver in multiple tournaments. Achieving similar results from their big boats on Saturday would go a long way toward team success at the OUA finale.
After an almost two-year hiatus from varsity competition, the Waterloo Warriors rowing team have fought their way back to re-establish themselves as a varsity team in 2023. Ready to make their mark on the OUA Championship for the first time, the Warriors look forward to shaking up the competition this weekend.
Top two, but not two is the motto for the Mustangs women’s squad coming into this weekend, as they look to defend their OUA banner streak. While the men finished just shy of the banner last season, they too will look for another podium finish and are hopeful for a chance at the banner this year.
What They’re Saying:
“I am proud of the collective effort our team has put in this year on both the men’s and women’s sides. We have outstanding leaders among our athletes both on the course and within the community. Not only is my goal to develop strong athletes, but strong leaders. Competing in the OUA Championships is truly a special experience and I am grateful to be part of their journey.” – Andrea Jansen, Head Men’s Coach and Co-Head Coach, McMaster Marauders
“We are super excited for our programs to compete at this year’s OUA Championships. From our varsity crews who have been rowing for years, to our novice crews who took their first strokes only two months ago, all of our athletes have put in an enormous amount of time and effort, and the coaches can’t wait to see everyone in action. I know I personally couldn’t be more proud to see the athletes and overall amazing individuals that these students have become.” - Meegan Crossley, Women’s Head Coach, Ottawa Gee-Gees
“We’ve had a great season so far and we’re going to keep that momentum going. OUAs will be our last trip to Henley Island for the year, and we’ve got our sights set on taking home some hardware. - Kyle Nummi and Lauren Matai, Student-Athletes, Queen’s Gaels
“The men’s team has really come together this fall. It is a mostly younger group, but they are very talented with good team chemistry and a growth-oriented mindset. This has brought them a long way this fall and the coaching staff is eager to see what they can do moving into the championship season.” – Mark Williams, Head Coach, Toronto Varsity Blues
“We are looking forward to coming together as a women's team, putting out our best performances and competing together for the OUA banner.” – Leslie Kelley and Hayley Conrad, Student-Athletes, Western Mustangs