Rower’s results put her on track to compete for Canada
Photo credit: Austin J. Cameron
Alanna Fogarty had a silver-lined week of rowing with two second-place medals at the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) finals, and another at the Canadian University Rowing Championships.
Though the Gee-Gees did not bring home a team medal at the OUA championship on Oct. 25 at the St. Catharines Rowing Club, the garnet and grey won five medals individually and raced exceptionally well.
Fogarty placed second in the lightweight women’s category and in the lightweight doubles with teammate Dana Howell. In the heavyweight competitions, Kristen King won bronze in the singles category and in the doubles with partner Kate Klarer.
“It was a very exciting day,” said Fogarty. “The Gee-Gees finished fifth overall, and I was happy with my results given the fact that the water conditions were not favourable.”
The Gee-Gees’ head coach Stu McKenzie, who has been with the Ottawa Rowing Club since 2002, was also recognized as the OUA’s coach of the year.
“He’s a very composed person,” said Fogarty. “He helps me stay calm, provides good goals and plans for the upcoming races, but most importantly, he reminds me to have fun.”
Fogarty went forward to compete at the Canadian University Rowing Championships on Nov. 1–2 with teammates Howell and Klarer. Fogarty captured a well-earned silver medal in the women’s singles.
During the time trials on Saturday, she finished second, which positioned her right beside the Western Mustangs, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, and the Brock Badgers for the finals.
In the championships on Sunday, Western was strong and pulled ahead quickly in the last 500 metres of the race. Fogarty was in the battle for second place against UBC, and in the last 250 metres, she broke and pulled a very impressive finish to pass. Fogarty finished only a second before her competition.
Now that she’s won silver, Fogarty is training for the National Rowing Championship (NRCS) set to take place Nov. 7–9 in Victoria, B.C.
“It is a very elite competition as it is intended for those who have aspirations to one day compete for Canada,” she said. And based on the results of her national showing, and from the upcoming NRCS, Fogarty may be able to do just that.
