LONDON, Ont., - It was a rebuilding year for varsity rowers in the 20009-10 season, but both the men's and women's squads won provincial titles, with the women also winning national gold.
Western's men’s team lost eight of their top rowers to graduation and the women’s team was in the same boat. With the influx of female rookies, however, it looked like they would be able to come back from these losses.
The off-season began with the Canadian Indoor Championships on Feb. 1, 2009. It looked like the team was in good shape as both Sarah Black (Ottawa, ON) and Peter McClelland (King City, Ont.) brought home golds. A second place was also earned by teammate Lindsay Sferrazza (St. Catharines, ON)with a time of 7:21.12.
At the World Cup held in Spain on June 1 2009, Cam Sylvester (Caledon, Ont.), the 2009 Dr. Claude Brown Trophy winner, of Western and teammate Doug Vandor fought to bring home second place with a time of 7:01.57 in the men’s lightweight double. Sylvester is the reigning Dr. Claude Brown Memorial trophy winner.
Between Fanshawe Lake held on Sept. 20, 2009 and Trent Homecoming, Western rowers brought home a total of 14 golds (nine at Fanshawe and five at Trent).
The rebuilding year did not slow the rowers down as they took home two more golds in the women’s double and men’s heavy double at the Brock Invite Regata held in St. Catharines on Oct. 10.
OUAs, also held in St. Catharines, earned Western its 21st title in their 36-year history of OUA women’s rowing and resulted in double golds for the men’s and women’s teams. Lauren Wells (London, ON) helped the Mustangs bring back the OUA Banner by winning gold in both the lightweight and heavyweight women’s singles races.
Women rowers received their second consecutive national title at the Canadian University Rowing Association Championships held on Nov. 1 in Montreal. Coach Mindy Bullen earned coach of the year honours.
Finally back into the indoor season, and after a bit of a break, Western rowers competed in the Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships held on Feb. 6 and 7. This event was held in several locations across Canada with rowers from every level. Mustangs showed that the winter could not bring them down by bringing back two golds by Black in the Sr. B race and from Tim Myers (Penticton, BC) in the men’s lightweight division.
From the looks of this season, the loss of veterans has not been a problem, and the team can only improve and grow into an even more successful season for the 2010-11 season.
