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University of Victoria Athletics

University of Victoria Varsity Athletics

2012 Women's Rowing

2012 Women's Rowing

Kira Starr

2012 University of Victoria Women’s Rowing
 
Women’s Roster
NAMEACADEMIC YR.HOMETOWN
Renae Barks2Regina, SK
Breezey Beaudry1Kelowna, BC
Megan Catherall2Errington, BC
Gillian Eeles4Vancouver, BC
Emily Garry3Victoria, BC
Lara Kemp5Calgary, AB
Stephanie Kozlowski1Comox, BC
Bronwyn Lawrie4Prince Rupert, BC
Jillian Legare2Campbell River, BC
Elizabeth McConnell1St. Albert, AB
Claire McCormick4Vancouver, BC
Stefanie Miklosovic5Yellowknife, BC
Erin Moen1North Vancouver, BC
Annie Pickering1Brandon, MB
Amanda Pomphrey1North Saanich, BC
Alyssa Roehrick1Longview, NJ
Megan Smith3Vancouver, BC
Madeline Spangehl2White Rock, BC
Meaghan Thorkelson2Prince George, BC
Daisy Wedge1Maple Ridge, BC
Alyssa Weninger2Unity, SK
Rachel Westgate1Kelowna, BC
Emma Whicher1Minnetonka, MN
Cate White1Calgary, AB
Becky Wilder1Victoria, BC
Rebecca Zimmerman1Toronto, BC
 
Rick Crawley (Head Coach)
Pat Newman (Development Coach)
Kim Hawker (Assistant Coach)                
 
 
Biography
The University of Victoria women’s rowing team took home the 2012 Canadian University Rowing Championship banner for the third consecutive year, validating their status as Canada’s top women’s rowing program.
 
Many young up-and-coming rowers were given the opportunity to wear the Vikes jersey as the women’s roster lost seven key athletes to graduation or the Canadian National team. Head coach Rick Crawley had some reworking to do as the team travelled to Burnaby, BC for the Western Championships.
 
With a heavy sophomore contingent the Vikes competed for the Western Canadian Rowing Championships (WCURC) title. Led by team captains Claire McCormick and Megan Smith the women’s rowing team struck gold four times. The Vikes won the women’s four (7:32.25) and lightweight four (6:37.69), as well as the lightweight double (7:37.48). The women also walked away winning the prestigious women’s eight (6:47.86), ousting the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds from the gold medal. Success continued as the UVic women picked up two silver medals in the lightweight single (8:35.16) and women’s coxed four (7:48.45) and two bronze medals in the women’s four (7:55.75) and women’s pair (8:07.32).
 
Although the Vikes boasted eight podium finishes, the women were still just shy of capturing the overall WCURC title, finishing second behind mainland rivals UBC.
 
After falling short at Westerns, the Vikes carried an extra edge to out-row their competitors at the 2012 CURC. Back in Burnaby, BC to defend their national title, the Vikes qualified for all six CURC finals.
 
Lightweight double duo Stefanie Miklosovic and Rachel Dennis controlled the race by winning their qualifying heat and the final event with a time of 7:47.54. UBC came second clocking in at 7:50.88.
 
The UVic woman struck gold again in the women’s eight in one of the closest three-way matches that weekend. Edging out Queens University (6:42.62) and UBC (6:44.77), the Vikes crew of Bronwyn Lawrie, Renae Barks, Megan Catherall, Jillian Legare, Lara Kemp, Alyssa Weninger, McCormick, Meaghan Thorkelson and Smith won by two and a half seconds (6:40.03).
 
Weninger later earned a bronze medal in the heavyweight single event (8:30.69).
 
By the narrowest of margins, the Vikes women’s rowing team captured their third consecutive banner and 11th CURC title for the rowing program. Head coach Crowley was nominated for coach of the year, while Vikes stand-out Weninger was a key nominee for athlete of the year.
 
In their last race of the season the UVic women looked to redeem their Western Championship loss at the Brown Cup Challenge against the Thunderbirds. The annual race is modeled after the historic Oxford–Cambridge boat race that sees two eight-oared shells race head-to-head over the Thames River in London, England. This year the Vikes women finished with a course record time of 10:43.09 to trump the T-Birds. UBC clocked in at 10:48.39.
 
Season Summary
Western Canadian Rowing Championships: 2nd (Silver)
Canadian University Rowing Championships: 1st (Gold)
Brown Cup: 1st (Course record time 10:43.09)