The Trent University rowing team competed in Ottawa this past weekend in the Head of the Rideau Regatta.

Competing against McGill and Queens for their first match up this season the Trent Varsity women won their division.

“The win last weekend against the western division schools and this win have given the women a taste of success. We will now be the school that others will be chasing,” stated head coach Carol Love. “We still have big gains in speed to be made and have to continue to set the bar high.”

Trent rower Jen Tuters won Gold in the women’s single, clocking the winning women’s fastest time of the day on the 5 km Rideau River course. Partners Ashley Holmes and Joanna Kipp won the Varsity women’s double. All three were double gold medalists.

In their first appearance at competition, the Trent Junior Varsity women won their division in the coxed four. The Varsity men’s heavyweight and lightweight programs saw strong competition from fast crews from both Queens and McGill.

“The crews are on a large learning curve and each week there is improvement in the performance of the crew,” stated lightweight coach John Nelson.

With only two weeks of training, the Novice men and Women eights won against the McGill and Queens teams in their first races of the season.

“It is always a highlight of the day to see the developing teams compete. All athletes from each university are in their first season of the sport, so the season begins with an equal start. It is encouraging for the crews to see their early morning practices and hard work being rewarded,” Coach Love said.

Coaches of the novice program are alumni Chrisitan Tuters and Glen MacVichie, along with Terry Kelly and Trent student Simon Johnston.

All teams will be appearing this weekend’s Head of the Trent Regatta.