St. Catharines, ON – The Mustangs Rowing team battled their way through a schedule change and some challenging conditions to claim a pair of team silver medals at the 2024 OUA Championship this weekend.

After a shift from a two-day event to a one-day event due to concerns with potential weather disruptions, it meant all racing was contested on an elongated Friday at the Martindale Pond in St. Catharines.

The Men's team picked up 165 points, just 6 points off the 1^st place Brock Badgers.

Western took four gold medals (8+, Lightweight 2-, 4+ & 2-). The Mustangs took three silvers (2x, Lightweight 8+ & 1x) and one bronze.

Sam Stewart picked up a pair of gold medals for the Mustangs in the 4+ & 8+ boats "It means a lot to take home two gold medals. Heading into OUAs, the team was very confident in their ability to win all of the sweep events and I think it was this confidence that made winning two gold medals feel as sweet as it was." said Stewart "Personally I believe the overall effort of the team was incredible. The men's team has worked incredibly hard and has elevated itself in the last twelve months. Although we did not win the OUA championship, I believe this fall is the start of something very special and is a testament to the work ethic of a team on an upward trajectory."

On the Women's side, they posted 152 points which was 20 points behind the champions from Queen's.

The lone gold medal came in the Lightweight 4+, while they took a pair of silver medals (8+ & Lightweight 2-) and four bronze medals (2-, Lightweight 1x, 2x & Lightweight 8+).

"The race was crazy!! To be totally honest the last move in the final 100m (when we overtook McGill and UOttawa for second place) was completely me holding onto anything I could." said Mustangs Women's 8 Coxswain Sophie Rorabeck "After coming through the last 500m in fourth place by a substantial amount, it was honestly a matter of which team wanted it more and that's exactly what I told my crew. And we did! The last push which resulted in our medal was sheer will and grit and nothing else."

Mustangs Men's Heavyweight Lead Coach John Lewis was recognized as Male Team Coach of the Year at the conclusion of the event.

"John has been a reliable pillar within our program for over a decade," said Mustangs Men's Head Coach Dan Bechard "John has an excellent approach to the student-athletes and we are lucky to have him.  He certainly deserves this award."

MAJOR AWARDS

Female Athlete of the Year: Isabella Durcak and Zoe Durcak - Brock
Male Athlete of the Year: Charles-Etienne Tabet - Brock
Female Team Coach of the Year: Rami Maassaran - Queen's
Male Team Coach of the Year: John Lewis -  Western

FINAL POINTS STANDINGS
 

Men's
TEAM	TOTAL
Brock	171
Western	165
U of T	111
Queens	103
Guelph	81
Ottawa	77
McGill	74
Waterloo	71
McMaster	65
Carlton	56
Trent	46
Ontario Tech	36
Nipissing	20
Women's
TEAM	TOTAL
Queens	172
Western	152
Guelph	118
U of T	114
Ottawa	76
McGill	62
Brock	61
McMaster	53
Trent	52
Carlton	45
Waterloo	44
Ontario Tech	42
Nipissing	19