The Brock women's rowing team caps off a strong season with three national podium finishes. 

Coming off a fourth-place result at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Championships, the Badgers followed it up with a fifth-place showing at the 2025 Canadian University Rowing Championships, which took place at the Olympic Basin in Montreal from Saturday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 2. 

After earning two medals and placing seventh last year, Brock increased their medal total this time around, highlighted by a historic performance in the women's eight. 

"The women came together and become stronger than the sum of their individual parts this weekend," said head coach Katie Bruggeling. "The eight's race was exhilarating, displaying a huge amount of toughness and dedication. We can't express enough how proud we are of them." 

The crew consisting of coxswain Haley Knott, Zoe Durcak, Isabella Durcak, Teagan Orth, Jalyn Mowry, Genavieve Jopling, Ana Cumming, Lila Lane and Kristina Harris placed second in the race in a time of six minutes, 48 seconds and 377 milliseconds, helping the Badgers earn 35 total points en route to a 54-point finish. 

This marks the first time the Badgers have earned a national silver medal in the women's eight since 2010, when the crew of coxswain Nikki Morrison, Keelin Greenlaw, Jenna Burke, Shawn Bright, Kate Nay, Cayley Firth, Stephanie Mowder, Megan Tucker and Brittany Ellis accomplished the feat. 

"I could not have asked for a better way to end my last season at Brock," said Isabella Durcak. "As a team, we really believed and trusted each other, and with heart and determination we achieved the goal we set for ourselves. I could not be more proud of this group of women, and I am forever grateful to call myself a Badger." 

The Durcak twins capped off their Brock careers with a national bronze medal, crossing the finish line in a time of 7:49.791, which was less than two seconds away from the second-place Queen's crew (7:47.973). 

Mowry and Orth also earned a silver medal in a thrilling finish in the women's double (7:56.559), finishing just over 1.5 seconds ahead of the Carleton boat (7:58.185). 

Looking ahead to next season, the Badgers have a lot to be excited about. They improved on their results at both the OUA Championships and the national championships from a year ago, and they produced a women's eight boat capable of medalling at both levels.