2009-10 NEWS RELEASES

UOIT Ridgebacks Media Release
Monday, October 05, 2009

Ridgebacks run into some wild weather at the Head of the Trent

PETERBOROUGH, Ont.– Crews were faced with some fierce weather conditions at the 40th running of the Head of the Trent this past weekend, including the UOIT Ridgebacks who were only able to take part seven of their eleven scheduled races.

Although all crews were ready to race, the entire running of Division Six, for the first time in the 40 Year history of this event was cancelled due to deteriorating weather conditions and approaching darkness, and the organizers did not wish to compromise the safety of the competitors and regatta volunteers. In light of the subsequent storm this was a very wise decision, although a major disappointment to all of the UOIT crews that did not get a chance to compete.

The UOIT crews that were able to race had a good showing, improving on times recorded at the Head of the Trent in previous years, most notably the varsity heavyweight 8’s.

The varsity heavyweight men’s crew Colin Jeffrey, Vlad Listov, Mark Lula, Rob Nayer, Jason Klein-Horsman, Justin Vanden Bosch, Scott Wilson, Jake Schwass and cox’n Catharina Cheng shaved almost a minute off their time from last season, finishing in a time of 17.23.05.

The varsity heavyweight women’s crew also showed significant improvement finishing the 5k course in 19.48.70, UOIT’s fastest time at the regatta. The Ridgebacks crew consisted of Melissa McDonald, Allison Ng, Gillian Beckette, Neysa Laszkiewicz; Cheryl Walker, Lauren Dares, Ingrid Piat, Lisa Harrington and cox’n Shea Brown.

In the varsity lightweight singles race, Colin Jeffrey placed in 11th place with a final time of 22.19.31 over the 5k distance. On the women’s side, Elysabeth Reavell-Roy placed ninth in this event with a time of 24.55.42.

In their first time racing in a varsity lightweight double crew, the tandem of Justin Klein-Horsman and Josh Versteeg placed eighth, with a final time of 20.04.68.

The day wrapped up with the varsity heavyweight Four (women’s), in a race that was marred by the first of several thunderstorms. The UOIT crew safely finished the race placing 10th in a field of 12, with a time of 21.21.69. Several crews had to seek shelter from the winds and heavy rain that accompanied this storm.

Although no medals were garnered by the UOIT Crews the Head of the Trent, all of the crews did well in their preparation for the OUA Rowing Championship, later this month.


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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca