London, ON - Mustangs Rowing team members Oliver Baker and Kyland Mels-Williams will represent Canada at the qualifying regatta for the upcoming Junior Pan Am Games. "The qualification regatta, scheduled for March 19-22, 2025, will be a key step in Canada's pathway to the second edition of these Junior Games, taking place August 9-23, 2025." Rowing Canada Aviron said in a release.
 
Western Men's Rowing Head Coach, Dr. Dan Bechard spoke highly of Kyland Mels-Williams and Oliver Baker. "We are extremely proud of Ollie and Kyland and their upcoming opportunities at the Junior Pan American Qualifiers. They both have worked very hard for this opportunity and are great leaders within the Western Rowing program. They will certainly represent Western and Canada well".
 
Baker began his rowing journey three years ago, and was honored with his selection. "I'm incredibly honoured to be selected for Junior Pan Ams this March. I didn't expect to be representing Canada this soon in the year, if at all! I'm really excited to race with the rest of my team and see what kind of performance we could show on the world stage", said Baker.
 
'Representing Canada is something I've always dreamed of doing and it brings an incredible sense of accomplishment that tells me that what I've been doing for the past three years is the right thing. The responsibility is not taken lightly and I know we've got some work ahead of us to prove that Canada is on the world rowing stage."


 
"I started rowing 3 years ago with RBC Training Ground (an identification camp with many partnered sports) and started training with the Nova Scotia provincial team. It was tough to commute to Halifax every day while I was in high school, let alone twice a day, so I didn't really start making improvements until I got to Western. The last 17 months have been incredibly rewarding and I've enjoyed working with our team, the coaches, and the guys that make it worth getting up in the morning", explained Baker.
 
After spending his first year on the junior varsity team, Baker moved up to the varsity team this year. His ambitious goals highlight his work ethic and rapid development over the past 17 months.
 
"My goals for this event are to get international race experience and put up the fastest time possible with my crews to see if we can qualify some boats for the real event in August. Our priority boats are the 4- (sweeping and called a "four") and the 4x (sculling and called a "quad")."
 
When reflecting on his training regime and plan, Baker emphasized consistency. "Consistency is the biggest part of our training. Showing up every morning, getting the work done, forget about it for a few hours, then come back and do it again. The other is to enjoy the process - we only race a handful of times a year, so trusting that results will come out on the other end is important, as well as treating each session as an opportunity to improve and get ahead of the competition", said Baker.


 
Mels-Williams expressed a similar sense of pride on his selection for team Canada. "Being selected to race for Team Canada is a very special and motivating opportunity and experience for me personally. I have always had goals for rowing outside of my time at Western and have ambitions for international racing. Being selected for this event has put me one step closer to reaching and obtaining those ambitions and goals", said Mels-Williams.
 
Mels-Williams' rowing journey started six years ago, and he's spent the last two as a Mustang. "Rowing is a sport that never calms down on the training aspect, but being in an environment as a Mustang, the training never seems unbearable and motivates me to perform to the best of my ability for the team during our racing season", he said.   

As he prepares for the qualifying regatta, Mels-Williams highlighted the importance of mobility and nutrition. "Heading to a new environment with a drastic temperature change and having a long travel time can be a big stress to the body, but I feel that with the nutrition and mobility habits that are a part of my routine, this will be a challenge that I can overcome. A training strategy our team has fostered is being 1% better every day. We apply this not only to our training sessions but also to our daily routines, such as sleep, nutrition, academics, etc. This helps me mentally if my training session doesn't go to plan, then work to improve in other areas of my life so I am 1% better than I was yesterday", said Mels-Williams.



The event marks Mels-Williams' first appearance for team Canada, making it a special announcement for him and a chance to showcase his Mustang pride on a larger scale.
 
"It feels very thrilling, motivating and intimidating. This will be my first time competing on an international stage, as well as for Team Canada, so there is an intimidation factor for my first time. I am thrilled to be chosen to represent Team Canada and have my efforts in this sport be seen and recognized. This opportunity has motivated me as well to train 1% better every day and to make my goals a reality. This responsibility means a lot to me; I feel like this opportunity is also big for our team. Having myself and another Western rower be selected for such a big event will help bring light to our team and show what is possible when you are a Mustang", explained Mels-Williams.
 
Mels-Williams is in his second year at King's University, studying Business Organizational and Management Studies with a specialization in Global Commerce. As a member of the men's rowing team, he is both a sweeper and sculler and has raced in the 8+ and 4+ boats.
 
"The biggest accomplishment I have had with the Western Mustangs is coming second in the Men's 8+ at the Canadian Rowing University Championships this past fall in Victoria, BC", said Mels-Williams. This was also echoed by Baker as his greatest accomplishment as well.
 
As these Mustangs prepare for the qualifying regatta later this month, the Western community is purple and proud of them and wish them luck! Rowing Canada Aviron to Compete at Junior Pan American Games Qualification Regatta - Rowing Canada Aviron