NRC 2019
With only 10 months until the start of the 2020 Olympic Summer Games, the 2019 National Rowing Championships were hotly contested as athletes across the country tried to showcase their skills to Rowing Canada’s brass. At stake, an invite to the Olympic Camp, and one’s own national ranking in the single and/or pair.
In the Women’s pair event Alberta based athletes Nicole Hare and Kasia Gruchella Wesierski, who just a few weeks ago represented Canada at the world championships found themselves in the “A” final racing for the title of National Champion. Meanwhile in the Women’s single, Pan-American Games gold medallist and Alberta’s own Jessica Servick was looking for a National Championship of her own. Not to be forgotten was Alberta’s Jeremy Hall. Jeremy was in Burnaby looking to defend his national championship in the PR1/PR2 single. Regardless of what side of the dock one found themselves the event was suspenseful for all involved within Alberta Rowing and Alberta rowers did not disappoint. When the final boat crossed the finish line, Alberta athletes won a record 5 medals, and four athletes were named to Canada’s Olympic Training Camp.
Jeremy Hall won gold in the PR1/PR2 single and was named the recipient of Lagoa Rio award for outstanding Para rower. Jessica Sevick won silver in the Senior Women’s single, while Deanna Salmon and Gabrielle Yarema took home gold in the Junior Women’s pair. Andrew Hubbard took home silver in the Junior Men’s single. Rounding out the medal haul was Megan Harris in the Women’s PR1/PR2 single winning a silver medal. In addition to Alberta’s five medals an additional four Alberta athletes finished in the top ten of their respective events. They were:
Kasia Gruchalla Wesierski – 5h place – Senior Women’s Pair
Nicole Hare – 6th place – Senior Women’s Pair
Olivia McMurray and Courtney Kruschel 10th place –Senior Women’s Pair.
Earning invites to Canada’s Olympic camp were Jessica Sevick, Kasia Gruchella Wesierski, Jeremy Hall and Nicole Hare. Congratulations to all.
CANADA SUMMMER GAMES
The 2019 National Rowing Championships were the first opportunity for many of our Junior aged athletes to get some insight as to what awaits them at the 2021 Canada Summer Games. The results from Burnaby show that the fundamentals for a strong team are there, but there is still substantial work needed to be done. Athletes who wish to be considered for the games should begin to make preparations on their end while being made aware of the following.
- Athletes had to pull a 7:35 / 7:50 (Heavy Women / Light Women) – 6:35 / 6:50 (Heavy Men / Light Men) 2k erg score to be granted an invite to the 2017 Canada Summer Games Selection Camp. Athletes can expect a similar erg standard come 2021.
- The CSG is a high-performance event with Canada’s best U21 athletes in attendance and will require athletes to treat it as such.
- The ARA is in the initial stages of planning an April Camp in Invermere, B.C for selected athletes who hit a 6:42 / 6:52 (Heavy Men / Light Men) 7:42 / 7:52 (Heavy Women / Light Women) 2k erg score this coming winter. Similar camps will be scheduled throughout 2020 and into 2021.
With the onset of winter training now only a few weeks away prospective athletes should use the Games to fuel their desire to get on the erg and put in the training. Those who put in the work now, will be rewarded.
WESTERN CANADA UNIVERSITY ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The 2019 Western Canada University Rowing Championships were held in Burnaby with athletes from Lakeland College, the University of Alberta and University of Calgary in attendance. The majority of the events were won by either UBC or UVIC, but the University of Calgary Dino’s did take home two gold medals winning the Novice Men’s 8+. Lakeland College also flexed its muscle at the event winning the Women’s Novice 8+. Congratulations to all of our Alberta schools.
Rowing Tidbits
- RADAR Reminder. A reminder to all ARA athletes that RADAR submissions are due November 30, 2019. Athletes who are carded under Alberta’s Provincial carding program are required to complete RADAR as part of their commitment to Alberta rowing.
- The 2019 Alberta Rowing Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held on Saturday November 16th in Red Deer, Alberta. The event is being held at the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre located at 3310 50thAvenue in Red Deer Alberta. Stay tuned for additional details
- St.Catharines Ontario will play host to the 2024 Senior and U23 World Rowing Championships.
Upcoming Events
- ARA AGM November 16th– Red Deer Alberta
- RADAR Submissions Due November 30th