Two podium finishes for Nipissing Rowing on the weekend

A couple of podium finishes for the Nipissing University rowing team at a weekend event in St Catharines.

The Junior Varsity Women’s Double Sculls boat of Brianna Jeans and Olivia Jeans (pictured left) were second in their event while the Novice Coxed Four crew of Hailey Quigley, Leah Currie, Angela Hua, Emma Langill and Catherine Ridsdale placed third in their race.

The Ontario University Athletics Development Regatta wrapped up the competitive season for the Lakers.

In a release, officials say 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 sisters, 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.”