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Graphic on a blue background with an action shot of a Brock men?s rower with the OUA Rowing Championships logo and event details next to the photo.
October 25, 2024

Banner Season: 14 teams vying for the top spot in the water at the OUA championships

Burlington, Ont. – It is expected to be an exceptional two days on the water at the historic Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course for the 2024 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Rowing Championships. Fourteen teams will have boats in the water vying for the top spot, with the Brock Badgers and Queen’s Gaels looking to defend their respective titles.  

CHAMPIONSHIP DETAILS:  

Host: Western Mustangs 
Date: October 26, 2024 
Venue: Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course 
Participating Teams (14): Brock Badgers, Carleton Ravens, Guelph Gryphons, 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 (host) 
Format: Women's Open Championship; Men's Open Championship 
Schedule/Rests: HERE 
Past Champions: Queen's Gaels (W); Brock Badgers (M) 

ATHELTES TO WATCH  

Oliver Baker, Western Mustangs | Baker, from Kentville, N.S., hastily took a spot on the varsity team this year, claiming his place in the OUA single (1x) and double (2x). Coming off a win at the Head of the Trent, a second place result at the Western Invitational, and a bronze medal showing in the U23 category at the National Rowing Championships, all in the single, he is ready to race the top scullers at the OUA championships.  

Molly Brooksbank, Western Mustangs | Brooksbank found rowing through the novice program two years ago and has developed this past year into one of the team's top scullers. Inspired by the strength of the women's team who won the banner in her novice year, she is excited to bring it home again this time around. The Whitehorse, Yukon native will race in the single and the double at this year's OUA championships. 

Noah Campbell, Toronto Varsity Blues | The Markham, Ont. native excelled in multiple boats this season. He placed fourth in the men's single, second in the men's double with partner Jack Bon, and fourth in the men's eight at the Head of the Trent this fall. At the Western Invitational, he also earned a third-place result with Bon in the men's double, while finishing fifth in the men's single as well. 

Sophie Corradini, Toronto Varsity Blues | A veteran leader on the Blues team, Corradini placed second in the lightweight women's double with teammate Elena Eberhart, and in the lightweight women's four at the Western Invitational. At the Head of the Trent, the Carlisle, Ont. product earned a third-place finish in those respective events as well.  

Tess Friar & Rebecca Dockray, Trent Excalibur | Friar and Dockray have had a phenomenal season on the water, bringing home two gold medals in women's 2x together. The pair also competed at Head of the Charles, placing 11th of 22. 

Jacob Hallman, Waterloo Warriors | Starting his university career in the novice category, Hallman was committed to his training and worked his way on to the varsity squad in 2023. His love and skill in rowing provided him with a unique opportunity in summer 2023 to be employed by Cambridge Rowing Club, coaching and teaching learn to row programs. The fourth-year biomedical science student is also the Warriors team captain, exemplifying dedication, leadership, initiative and a competitive drive.   

Stephen Harris, Brock Badgers | The Guelph, Ont. native competed at the 2024 Senior World Rowing Championships. He captured gold in the senior men’s single at the National Rowing Championships this fall and won two golds and one silver at the 2023 Canadian University Championships. The fifth-year economics student has competed at the Pan Am Games, Under 23 World Championships, and Junior World Championships, and will look to help his Badgers repeat as OUA champions.  

Nathalie Hilbert, McMaster Marauders | One of the Marauders’ most experienced oarswomen on the team, Hilbert started rowing with the novice program in 2019 and learned to scull on her own in Calgary during the pandemic. The fourth-year engineering student is a leader within the team and has been integral to the growth of the Marauders squad since 2021. She has racked up some serious hardware along the way as well, including two OUA medals, one of which was McMaster's first conference gold. 

Alex Ladage, Carleton Ravens | Ladage enters the OUA championships after a fifth-place finish at 2024 RCA National Rowing Championships in Welland. 

Jalyn Mowry, Brock Badgers | Mowry took home the gold medal at the Brock Invitational this fall and the at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta this summer. The third-year education student also captured the silver at the Row Ontario Club Championships a few months back. She looks to better her silver medal at the 2023 OUA finale in the women’s pair this year.  

Rosie O'Brien, Carleton Ravens | O’Brien is having a strong season in the women's lightweight single and in the women's double with Kendra Hurtubise. The Ottawa, Ont. product captured gold at the Brock Invitational and silver at the Head of the Trent to put her in a great position for another podium finish at the OUA championships this weekend. 

Nigel Radhakrishnan, Queen’s University | Radhakrishnan is in the midst of a rapid ascent in Canadian lightweight sculling after a successful summer competing domestically. He was the top U23 lightweight 1x at the Canadian Henley Regatta and won the men’s 1x trial this fall during Queen’s tryouts.  He has his eyes set on his first OUA title after winning a silver and bronze medal in 2023.  

Julia Teixeira, Queen’s University | The arts and science student competed for Canada at U23 Worlds this past summer in the lightweight women’s 4x. The Toronto, Ont. product will be looking to win her first OUA title in 2024, racing the lightweight 1x and 2- after capturing two silver medals in 2023.  

Trevor Tung, McMaster Marauders | Tung is one of the team's co-presidents who oversees the management of the squad. The third-year student from Etobicoke, Ont. started rowing in 2021 in the novice men's program and has continued to develop over his four years with the team. He won bronze at the championships in 2023 in the lightweight men's pair and won the lightweight pair this year at the Brock Invitational Regatta.  

BURNING QUESTIONS 

  1. Will a deep Brock Badgers team be able to show their hard work and preparation on race day to defend their 2023 men’s title?  

  1. Can the host Western Mustangs take a strong season on the men’s and women’s side and translate it to podium success? 

  1. Will the Queen’s Gaels women claim back-to-back titles for the first time since 2007-2008?  

  1. Can the Carleton Ravens, led by the women's 4+ team that won the Head of the Charles last weekend, capitalize at the championships?  

  1. Can the Waterloo Warriors, after an almost 20-year hiatus from varsity competition, continue the team’s growth and end on high note at the championships?  

  1. Can the Queen’s Gaels lightweight men break through to win an elusive event this year in the perennially deep OUA lightweight men’s field? 

WHAT ARE THEY SAYING  

"As we approach the OUA Championships, we're excited to showcase the results of our preparation and put everything together on race day. Go Badgers!" - Katie Bruggeling, Head Coach, Brock Badgers  

“Given the results thus far, and the continuous improvements we are seeing on the water, I would expect a few podium finishes across the team." - Meghan Jolley, Head Coach, Carleton Ravens  

"We're so proud of the effort and results our team has put forward this year and we're eager to carry that momentum forward to the OUA Championships. We would like to thank rowing community, parents, supporters and alumni; competing would not be possible without their support." -  Myma Okuda-Rayfuse, Co-Head Coach, McMaster Marauders  

“The team has many returning athletes, along with many new athletes who have all proven their determination to put out their best efforts in the coming two weeks. This weekend, I’m very excited to show everyone else, too.” - Lucas Celia, Student Athlete, Queen’s Gaels  

"I can’t wait to see all those early mornings pay off at the OUA Championships. Our team has grown so much, and I’m excited to show everyone what we’re capable of. Waterloo Rowing is here to win. I’m especially thrilled to be rowing the single for the first time, despite the challenge of competing against experienced rowers. The support from my fellow rowers, including those from other schools, has been incredible. It’s a testament to the supportive and inspiring nature of the rowing community." - Noemie Arsenault, Student-Athlete, Waterloo Warriors  

“I’m so incredibly proud of the resilience and unification that the girls have demonstrated this season. What makes this year so special, is that some of the top competitors this year came up from the novice and junior varsity team; we’ve had to fight hard and develop fast to secure success. In spite of the massive rebuilding this year, we have a real shot at the banner and I think that speaks to the sheer determination and ability of these girls.” – Molly Brooksbank, Student-Athlete, Western Mustangs