The Brock Badgers women's rowing team is locked in and ready for the OUA Championships at Henley Island (hosted by Ontario Tech) this weekend (Oct. 27 and 28).
After earning a bronze medal in 2022, the Badgers will be looking to members from that squad to earn a similar podium finish here in 2023.
If you want to find solid veterans to rely upon, look no further than Isabella and Zoe Durcak. The sisters have a cerebral approach to performance, focusing on working hard and making technical gains every time training takes place. The results back it up, with the two winning four events in the domestic university circuit this season.
The Stoney Creek products started their season with a lightweight double victory in Guelph, which was followed up with a lightweight double gold at the Head of the Trent. The two were part of the lightweight eight that won silver alongside Serafina Dell (coxswain), Jalyn Mowry, Rowan O'Neill , Genavieve Jopling, Hannah Broderick and Samantha Wimbush at the Head of the Trent. Most recently, at the Brock Invitational, the pair won golds in the lightweight double and four (Dell (coxswain), O'Neill, Maya Gaston). The Durcaks tasted gold last year in the lightweight double at the OUA Championships and are hoping to repeat that success once again in 2023.
Leadership from the Badgers comes from many different avenues and for the women's program, it begins with sophomore coxswain Serafina Dell. The nursing major and local St. Catharines product was instrumental in the lightweight four's gold medal at the Brock Invitational. While you may notice Dell's impact on the water, her equally as important contribution comes off it. Dell's dedication to the program and work behind the scenes is a big reason for the success of the women's team.
Erin Broski has made her return to the squad, with her last season with the team coming before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a graduating athlete, her leadership will once again be counted upon this weekend. Broski's positive attitude and ability to help motivate and mentor younger members of the team will be felt for years to come.
Two more upper year athletes the Badgers will look to this weekend are Jalyn Mowry and Rowan O'Neill. Mowry came second with Broski at the Guelph regatta in the women's open pair, while both Mowry and O'Neill earned a silver in the open four alongside coxswain Clara Sebastianelli, Jopling and Broderick.
O'Neill earned a lightweight singles win in Guelph and was part of the aforementioned lightweight four that earned gold at the Brock Invitational. At the 2022 championships, O'Neill claimed a silver in the women's lightweight single. The sport management major is another leader who has been part of the team executive this past season, while Mowry is a smooth and steady presence for the Brock squad.
Both Mowry and O'Neill were part of the women's eight team alongside the Durcak sisters that placed third in 2022 at the provincial championships.
Development is the name of the game this season, with the coaching staff looking not only to have strong performances this weekend but to lay a solid foundation for the future.
"Our women's program this year is a bit smaller and more focused on the small boat combinations. Developing and improving a little bit each day has been a big focus this season, and I think our women did a great job of focusing on what better looks like each day," said head coach Mary Rao.
"I believe that these efforts have allowed the athletes to focus on growth and development, and I am excited to see what we can do at the championships this weekend."
The races start on Friday, October 27, with junior varsity and novice races, before the varsity races take centre stage on Saturday, October 28. Brock will be competing with 13 other OUA schools for the OUA banner. Follow along with the results here.
