Trent Excalibur

University rowers earn gold at prestigious North American regatta in men’s double, men’s quad and women’s lightweight double

The 130^th Annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta (RCHR) held in St. Catharines, Ontario from August 5-12, 2012 proved to be a golden event for several Trent University rowers as they captured gold medals in three events.

Decorated Trent rower Dave Mungham, who was also victorious at the prestigious Dad Vail regatta in Philadelphia in May, came out of the regatta with two gold medals – the first in the U23 men’s double with partner Dylan Wing of Laurentian, and the second in the U23 men’s quad with fellow Trent rowers Owen Kane and Rory LePage. On the women’s side, Trent was also golden in the lightweight women’s double of Nicola Bendle, the president of the Trent University Rowing Club, and Guelph’s Kerith Gordon.

Remarking on the success of the team, Trent Rowing head coach Jacqui Beattie said: "Six days a week, twice a day for a year this group has worked towards these results. It's been a constant build. First, multiple victories at the Head of the Charles (the world’s largest head race), followed by a victory at North America's largest collegiate regatta (Dad Vails), and now this, multiple victories at the Royal Canadian Henley – a truly great achievement for these athletes. It's amazing what this team has accomplished and exciting to look towards the fall. We're stronger, faster, and have a deeper program than last year."

The RCHR is hailed as the top amateur rowing event in North America, welcoming close to 3,000 international athletes and visitors from across Canada, the US, Europe, Australia and Latin America.