Trent Rowing Earns Two Gold and Bronze at U.S. Regatta

Excalibur Rowing earns international recognition as only Canadian university to medal at Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta

The Trent Excalibur Rowing team delivered an impressive performance at the prestigious Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta in Pennsauken, New Jersey, this past weekend, returning with two gold medals, one bronze, and a series of impressive finishes against an international field.

The three-day event featured 288 entries across 61 rowing clubs and is the largest collegiate regatta in the United States. The team rose to the occasion, with all varsity boats advancing to the A Finals, and both Novice crews qualifying for B Finals during Friday's time trials and semifinals. 

"Our athletes were given an experience unlike anything we have for university rowing competitions in Canada," said Ugette Vanderpost ('89), varsity rowing coach. "It was a lot of planning, training and driving paired with tremendous resilience against strong winds, I couldn't be prouder of these athletes and coaches. It was an honour to be part of this Trent team's journey."

Trent was one of three Canadian universities competing in this year's event, and the only institution of which to medal. The Excalibur finished second overall in the Women's Sculling Championship, narrowly missing first place by just three points.

Rising to the occasion against high winds, the Excalibur rowers excelled:

Gold medals:

• Women's Single (1x): Tess Friar – 8:20 finish (25 seconds ahead of second place)
• Women's Quadruple Sculls (4x): Tess Friar, Emilie Mirfield, Kendall Rose, and Hannah Kavanagh – 7:16 finish (25 seconds ahead of the next shell)

Bronze medals:

•  Women's Double (2x): Caitlyn Cox and Lillian Terpstra – 8:28 finish

Additional standout performances:

• 5th Place – Men's Double (2x): Jessy Kenny and Luke Sullivan
• 5th Place – Women's Novice Coxed Four (WF/N 4+): Sam Moss, Danie Green, Elly Hutt, Rebecca Davis, and Daniella Rodrigus
• 5th Place – Men's Novice Coxed Four (Novice 4+ racing in Varsity 4+ event): Gus Suddard, Joseff Zwetko-Neher, Braydon Walsh, Sam Farrer (with Hannah Kavanagh substituting as cox in finals).

The success of the Trent Excalibur Rowing team at the Dad Vail Regatta models the hard work and dedication of the athletes, coaches, and the entire Trent rowing community. Competing against top collegiate programs from the United States, the team showcased not only their skill and endurance but also their ability to rise to the occasion under challenging windy conditions.

Tess Friar, who just completed her second year in the Trent Nursing program, played a pivotal role in securing two gold medals. "The level of competition pushed us in new ways, and winning both the women's varsity single and the quad this year felt like the perfect reward for all our hard work. The support from our coaches and teammates made it even more meaningful. I'm proud to represent Trent and be part of a team that always strives to raise the bar," says Tess.

The team was guided by an accomplished group of volunteer coaches, including Brianna Tombs ('18), Kate Mackenzie, Mike Vanderpost ('89), and Ugette Vanderpost.