1998 University of Victoria Women’s Rowing Women’s Roster | NAME |
| Buffy Alexander |
| Lisa Anderson |
| Leah Baade |
| Jen Browett |
| Carmen Brown |
| Kim Brouwer |
| Sarah Catt |
| Karen Clark |
| Linda DeFelice |
| Rachelle de Jong |
| Allison Dobb |
| Pam Elliott |
| Gethsemane Fear |
| Bonnie Fiala |
| Jamie Garrett |
| Holland Gidney |
| Sheena Goldie |
| Sarah Goring |
| Pam Graham |
| Christa Heard |
| Jen Heard |
| Carmen Jackson |
| Lucy Jamieson |
| Sara Kirk |
| Allisa Krawchuck |
| Sarah Laxton |
| Karyn Lauridsen |
| Joann MacArthur |
| Vanessa Magiera |
| Elise Michalski |
| Sarah Nicholas |
| Noreen O’Leary |
| Sarah Podolsky |
| Sheryl Preston |
| Jillian Renouf |
| Carolyn Rudden |
| Katie Ryan |
| Nancy Sheils |
| Keira Shemuk |
| Veronica Soron |
| Kristen Wall |
| Laura Wallace |
| Erica Weikle |
| Alia Zawacki |
Rick Crawley (Head Coach)
Paula Hale (Coach)
Kelly Mahon (Coach)
Jack Green (Volunteer Manager)
Biography The University of Victoria women’s rowing team worked right through the summer to stay in top shape for the 1998-1999 varsity season. At the Canadian Henley meet Vike representative took home four titles including, the senior B women’s eight, the four, the dash single (
Kristen Wall) and the women’ eight. Additionally, Vikes made up the core group of rowers on the BC provincial team who won the provinces first Canada Cup aggregate trophy.
Successfully winning the Canadian women’s rowing championship in its inaugural 1997 season, the Vikes looked to redeem their championship status as they hosted the 1998 Canadian University Rowing Championship (CURC), once again at Elk Lake Victoria, BC.
At the CURCs, Wall continued her dominance winning the singles event for the second consecutive year.
Buffy Alexander and
Nancy Sheils added aggregate points, defending their pairs title. Collectively, fifth year Sheils and Wall, with Alexander and six other Vikes won the prestigious women’s coxed eight title. The victory was won 12 seconds ahead of the University of British Columbia, followed by the University of Western Ontario and Brock University.
Roughly 1500 people packed the University of Victoria McKinnon gym for the Monster Erg Indoor National Championship. Alexander teamed up with
Rachelle de Jong, Alia Zawacki and
Jamie Garrett to win the national collegiate fours with a four second victory over the University of Western Ontario.
Travelling down the west coast, the women’s Vikes rowing team continued their reign. The Vikes raced against NCAA powerhouse Cal-Berkley Bears on home course. Although the weather conditions played a negative factor at the beginning of the race, the Vikes calmly redirected their boat to take Cal-Berkley through the 1000 to win by four seconds.
Undefeated, so far, through the spring season, the Vikes entered the 8
th annual Brown Cup Challenge against UBC without Alexander who was off training with the Canadian national team. However, the Vikes crew pulled together to capture not only their seventh Brown Cup title, but also set a course record of 10:58.4, 25 second up on UBC, on the 3.5km Gorge Waterway course.
At the annual University of Victoria Celebration of Champions athletic banquet, Alexander was honoured as outstanding athlete for her contribution and leadership for the second consecutive year. Team manager volunteer
Jack Green was presented with the Publishers Award for his efforts over the years with the rowing team.
International SuccessKey Vike stroker
Buffy Alexander and
Kristen Wall captured their first World Rowing Championship medal together in 1997 in the women’s coxed eight. The regatta was held at Lac d’Aiguebelette, France. Alexander and Wall earned a silver medal beating out Great Britain but just behind Romania.
At the 21
st World Rowing Championship in 1998, Alexander represented Canada in the women’s four and women’s coxed eight. In the four, Canada finished one minute and 27 seconds behind Ukraine and 0.83 seconds in front of Netherlands to capture a silver medal (6:31.9). Finishing two minutes and 44 seconds behind second place U.S.A, Alexander and the Canadian’s took home a bronze medal in the coxed eight (6:18.25)
Season Summary Canadian University Rowing Championship (CURC) at Elk Lake, BC - Women’s Single Final: Kristen Wall (GOLD)
- Women’s Pair Final: Buffy Alexander, Natanis Sheils (GOLD)
- Women’s Coxed Eight: GOLD
Monster Erg Indoor National Championship at McKinnon Gym, UVic- Women’s Four Final: Buffy Alexander, Rachelle de Jong, Alia Zawacki, Jaimie Garrett (GOLD)
Brown Cup Challenge at Gorge Waterways, Victoria, BC - Women’s Coxed Eight: UVic (GOLD)
Outstand Athlete of the Year: Buffy Alexander
Publishers Award: Jack Green
