Rowing 10/26/2023 8:29:00 PM Naziha Ali, Sports Information Assistant

PREVIEW: Marauders take on OUA Rowing Championships this Saturday

If there's one team at McMaster that screams discipline, it's the Rowing team. Their intense practises, that run at the crack of dawn, rain or shine, will hopefully give them the conditioning they need to propel themselves to an impressive showing this Saturday at the OUA Championships. Both our women's squad, led by Nathalie Hilbert, and men's squad, with up-and-coming Jonathan (Jonny) Diakopoulos, will be competing. It's been a while since the school won a championship – the women last took home the title in 1975. The team, however, has had many impressive showings recently, which should help us to grab some medals at the tournament.

Fourth-year Nathalie Hilbert first joined the team as a novice prior to the pandemic and trained the single in Calgary. She won gold in the Open Women's Double at the 2022 OUA championship, which was McMaster's first gold medal in recent history. This time, she will be racing the Open Women's Single and Pair. An Engineering Physics and Society student, Nathalie is also a member of the Women's Athletic Leadership Committee and the Quantum Club at McMaster.

Pairing up with Nathalie this year is Sarah Cushnie. A multi-talented athlete, Sarah initially came to McMaster on an athletic scholarship for cross country and track, but she transferred to rowing after many unfortunate injuries. Sarah taught herself rowing technique by watching YouTube videos, then began training with the team this January. When the team got on the water in April, she picked it up right away. Sarah will be competing in the Open Women's Pair and Four events, after only 6 months of rowing.

On the men's team, Jonny Diakopolous is set to make his OUA Rowing Championships debut. His journey in the sport began just last year when he joined the McMaster novice program, and since then, he has proven to be an invaluable addition to the team. His passion and dedication makes Jonny a positive asset to the squad. His growth in the sport has been nothing short of impressive, and his teammates look up to him for his unwavering commitment and spirit. Jonny will be competing in the Lightweight Men's Pair and Double events.

Our men's program is unique and exciting this year. All of last year's varsity athletes graduated and over 80% of the current team came from last year's novice program. The team worked hard together to grow their skills in preparation for their first OUA Championship. Alex Cowman, who was an OUA Silver Medalist in 2022 and Dr. Ray Johnson Outstanding Graduate 2022 Recipient, has continued to support the team, coming back as one of the novice men's coaches along with other McMaster alumni.

The young team's energy and spirit will hopefully help drive them to some medals this Saturday. Andrea Jansen, the Men's Head Coach, spoke to the team's ambition, saying "I am proud of the collective effort our team has put in this year on both the men's and women's sides. We have outstanding leaders among our athletes, both on the course and within the community. Not only is my goal to develop strong athletes, but strong leaders. Competing in the OUA Championship is truly a special experience and I am grateful to be part of their journey."

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Players Mentioned

Alex Cowman: First Year; 1

Nathalie Hilbert: 5' 11"; Fourth Year; 3

Sarah Cushnie: 5' 9"; Fourth Year; 2

Jonathan Diakopoulos: 5' 11"; Second Year; 1

Players Mentioned

Alex Cowman
: First Year; 1

Nathalie Hilbert
: 5' 11"; Fourth Year; 3

Sarah Cushnie
: 5' 9"; Fourth Year; 2

Jonathan Diakopoulos
: 5' 11"; Second Year; 1