This year, 23 SMUS rowers, across 10 events, had the opportunity to travel to Ontario to compete at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) National Championship Regatta.
After arriving in St. Catharines, Ont. on the night of May 27, the team got to rigging boats and prepping equipment on Tuesday morning. The SMUS Rowing team logged its final training sessions of the 2024 season on the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta Course. The collective efforts of our crews allowed for two-and-a-half days of training before crews began racing on Friday, May 31, with finals wrapping up on the Sunday, Jun. 2.
Christening a new shell, Sisu
Opening on the Thursday, we had the incredible honour of christening one of our newest shells, Sisu: “Strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity. Sisu is not momentary courage but the ability to sustain that courage.”
After the team’s morning training sessions, we welcomed the Lawler family as they officially christened the Sisu to ensure it was ready for its first race down the course on Friday morning (Jr. Women’s 4+). On behalf of the SMUS Rowing Family, thank you to Ian, Dee, and Claire Lawler for their incredibly generous and meaningful continued support of the SMUS Rowing program.
Despite missing Ice Cream Day on the SMUS campus, athletes, parents, and coaches made sure to pay tribute to the late Mr. Symons at Country Avondale Ice Cream on his birthday (June 1).
Finishes at Nationals
At the 2024 CSSRA National Championship, SMUS Rowing entered 10 events and our athletes returned home with one fifth-place finish (Sr. Women’s 63kg 2X); two fourth-place finishes (Jr. Women’s 4X+ and Sr. Mixed Quad); three third-place finishes (Sr. Mixed Double, Jr. Women’s 4+, and the Sr. Men’s 72.5kg 4+); one second-place finish (Jr. Men’s 66kg 4X+); and one national title (first-place finish for the Sr. Novice Men’s 72.5kg 4X+).
In addition to these finalists, the Sr. Women’s 63kg 4+ raced their hearts out to a third-place finish in Saturdays semifinal, narrowly missing a bid into their final, by less than four seconds. The Sr. Men’s 72.5kg 2X battled it out to capture a fifth-place in their semifinal.
Competing at the national level, our athletes did an incredible job of representing not only themselves and their respective crews, but also our school.
Crew Results:
(BRONZE) Women’s Junior 4+
Our Women’s Junior 4+ crew, consisting of Clara Curry, Juliet Crowe, Braelyn Rowan, and Mira Wirk, with Emily McMillan as the coxswain, delivered a strong performance, securing third-place and Sisu’s first national medal! Their determination and fight were evident as they powered through the race.
(BRONZE) Mixed 2x
In the Mixed 2x event, Tiger Zhang and Marlene Dietrich showed great synergy and endurance, finishing in third-place. Their effort and teamwork were commendable in a competitive field.
(SILVER) Men’s Junior 66kg 4X+
The Men’s Junior 66kg 4X+ crew, featuring Jihan Lai, Tristan Salter, Leo Denis, and William Zeng, with Elise Gomori as coxswain, achieved an impressive second-place. Their technique and speed highlighted their potential for future races.
(GOLD) Novice Men’s 72.5kg 4X+
A standout performance came from the Novice Men’s 72.5kg 4X+ team. Sam Kriegler, Tristan Salter, Leo Denis, and William Zeng, expertly guided by coxswain Elise Gomori, clinched first-place. Their victory is a testament to their hard work and dedication.
(BRONZE) Senior Men’s 72.5kg 4+
Oliver Pressello, Sam Kriegler, Danny Kotze, and Brady Hsu, with Jaieme Aubertin as coxswain, competed fiercely in the Senior Men’s 72.5kg 4+ event, finishing in third-place. Their effort demonstrated their strength and resilience.
(4th) Senior Mixed Quad
In the Senior Mixed Quad category, the team of Oliver Pressello, Tiger Zhang, Marlene Dietrich, and Pippa Hlannon delivered a solid performance, finishing fourth. Their versatility and skill in mixed rowing were on display.
(4th) Junior Women’s 4X+
The Junior Women’s 4X+ crew of Liz Hardcastle, Braelyn Rowan, Clara Curry, and Juliet Crowe, with Emily McMillan as coxswain, fought hard and finished fourth. Their teamwork and spirit were commendable.
(5th) Senior Women’s 63kg 2X
Rowan Denis and Claire Lawler participated in the Senior Women’s 63kg 2X event, finishing in fifth place. Despite the tough competition, their perseverance and effort were noteworthy.
(8th) Senior Women’s 63kg 4+
Claire Lawler, Rowan Denis, Pippa Hlannon, and Jaclyn Chow, with Caroline Tam coxing, fought hard as they competed in one of the toughest events of the regatta. This crew crossed the finish line with a personal-best time. A special shout out to Jaclyn Chow, who switched from coxing to lightweight rowing less than two months ago. Jaclyn’s determination to meet her teammates where they were (training-wise) was evident in their incredible performance.
(13th) Senior Men’s 72.5kg 2X:
Grade 11 athletes, Brady Hsu and Danny Kotze raced to a personal-best finish. Despite missing the bid into Sunday's finals, both athletes fought hard against tough competition.
To our senior athletes, who will be moving on to university next fall: Tiger, Marlene, Pippa, Jaclyn, Jaieme, Claire, and Caroline, thank you for all your incredible leadership, support, determination, and advocacy not only this season, but during your entire time as SMUS rowers. As you all transition into the next chapter of your journeys, the entire SMUS Rowing Family (past and present) wish you all the best on your next adventure. Always remember, One Team, One Family: Always!
Our twenty-three athletes showed remarkable skill, teamwork, and determination across all events. Congratulations to all the athletes for their hard work and excellent performances at the 2024 Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) National Championship Regatta!
