RIDGEBACKS ROWING BLOWN AWAY IN GUELPH 

Guelph - The "Guelph Challenge" was held at Guelph Lake on October 20.  This regatta is used as a warm up for the novice and Junior Varsity Crews who will be attending the OUA Novice and Championship Rowing Regatta in St. Catharines on October 26-27 at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta Course in St. Catharines, Ontario.

UOIT entered two novice eight crews, and the women's crew consisting of Cox'n Taylan Brown, Stroke Elysabeth Revell-Roy, Seven Lenora Makin, Six Lisa Harrington, Five Allison Ng, Four Jessica Bosse, Three Laurie Moote, Two Melissa Szabo and Bow Jennifer Oullette came first in their heat with the third best time for that event.  Subsequent heats were cancelled due to high gusty winds, resulting in UOIT Women's Novice eight winning the bronze medal.

The UOIT Men's Novice Eight, consisting of Cox'n Jessica Bosse, Stroke Rob de Vries, Seven Kevin Van Rooy, Six Alex Szabo, Five Adrian Baker, Four Eric Andres, Three Mark Heinien, Two Mike Orram, Bow Colin Jeffery placed second in their heat.  This resulted in the fourth fastest time for the Men's Novice Event, when the balance of the racing was cancelled due to high winds.  They were seven seconds behind the third place winning crew from Trent University (Peterborough).

The UOIT Junior Varsity Cox Four Men's Crew and the UOIT Junior Varsity Cox Four Women's Crew had their races cancelled due to the high gusty winds.

This is the second Novice Regatta held at Guelph which it is hoped will become a staple on the OUA Varsity and Novice Circuit. Crews from the following Universities attended this regatta; Brock, Trent, Guelph, UOIT, Ottawa, U of T (Trinity) and U of T (Mississauga).

All UOIT crews will be at the OUA Championships in St. Catharines this coming Friday and Saturday.

 **provided by Ridgebacks coach Rob Millikin

 Next Action: October 26-27 – OUA Championships @ St. Catherines