Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 44^th RCA Excellence Awards. These awards celebrate outstanding contributions and achievements within the Canadian rowing community over the past year. 

Among these distinguished recipients is Nancy Russell, named Volunteer of the Year for her transformative leadership and tireless dedication to Rowing PEI. As President, she has fostered inclusivity through initiatives like the Women on Water and Newcomer on Water programs, expanded rowing tourism, and elevated the Red Island Regatta to new heights, leaving a lasting impact on the club and community. 

The Umpire of the Year is Mélanie Bryce, whose dedication and passion for rowing have shaped her journey from athlete to World Rowing-certified international umpire. Mélanie’s commitment to ensuring athlete safety and fair competition, along with her encouragement of others to pursue umpiring, has made her an invaluable leader and inspiration within the rowing community. 
  
Fraser Valley Youth Rowing Society (FLYRS) Head Coach Nadine Mross has been selected as Coach of the Year due to her unwavering commitment, positivity, and passion for developing well-rounded athletes. Over her 16 years with FLYRS, Nadine has guided athletes to success at provincial and national levels while fostering personal growth, resilience, and teamwork. 

Scott Anderson is the 2024 recipient of the Jack Nicholson Bursary for his long-standing commitment to coaching, including his roles with the St. Catharines Rowing Club, Brock University, and the NextGen coaching team at the National Training Centre. 

Ottawa Rowing Club has been chosen as the recipient of the Club – Outstanding Achievement of the Year award for its exceptional accomplishments in 2024. By restructuring its Junior Program to align with Long-Term Athlete Development principles, expanding adult and Special Olympics programming, and excelling at regattas like Défis du Canal, ORC demonstrated outstanding leadership, innovation, and inclusivity, making a significant impact at all levels of rowing.  

Bill Schenk and Dr. Sandra Kirby are the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement award. Bill is honored with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of dedication to improving rowing facilities, supporting athletes, and securing world-class events, including the 1999 World Rowing Championships in St. Catharines. Dr. Kirby is awarded the President’s Award for her groundbreaking work as an Olympic athlete, scholar, educator, and advocate, dedicating her career to eliminating sexual harassment, abuse, and violence in sport, while championing equity and inclusion for athletes worldwide. 

Paralympian Jacob Wassermann has been selected for the Para Athlete of the Year award, with the Senior Athlete/Crew of the Year award going to Paris Olympics Canadian Women’s Eight (names listed below). Giancarlo DiPompeo and Aidan Hembruff have been awarded the U23 Athlete of the Year and Lucas Maroney and Elizabeth Najjar have been named Junior Athletes of the Year. Rounding out the athlete awards, the Tony Zasada Memorial award winners are Anna Currie and Giancarlo DiPompeo. 

RCA is also proud to recognize the National and NextGen Canadian rowers who stood proudly on the podium this past year, representing Canada on the international stage. Also being honoured today are the dedicated volunteers receiving Long Service Awards, ranging from 15 to 60 years, for their unwavering commitment to rowing in Canada. (The full list of honourees is below.) 

The 2024 President’s Award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the rowing community. This year’s recipients are Doug Diet, Judy Sutcliffe, and Susan Kitchen. Doug is honored for his initiative as the President of LaSalle Rowing Club, showing outstanding vision and leadership in growing rowing and fostering diverse engagement in his community, helping to establish a successful pathway for high school athletes into post-secondary rowing.  

Judy is celebrated for her outstanding contributions to umpiring at local, provincial, and national levels, exemplifying excellence. She has elevated the professionalism of umpiring across Canada, serving as Chair of RCA’s Umpire Committee and playing a crucial role in the development of umpire education and diversity initiatives. 

Susan is acknowledged for her impactful work in advancing and promoting indoor rowing at both national and international levels, including her leadership in organizing the Canadian Indoor Rowing Championships and successfully bidding for and hosting the 2023 World Indoor Rowing Championships.  

Together, their dedication and efforts continue to make a lasting impact on the sport of rowing in Canada. Congratulations to all the award winners! 

2024 RCA Excellence Awards Winners

Volunteer of the Year – Nancy Russell (Rowing PEI)

Umpire of the Year – Mélanie Bryce (Ottawa Rowing Club)

Coach of the Year – Nadine Mross (Fraser Valley Youth Rowing Society)

Jack Nicholson Bursary – Scott Anderson (Brock/St. Catharines Rowing Club)

Club “Outstanding Achievement of the Year” – Ottawa Rowing Club

Lifetime Achievement – Bill Schenck (St. Catharines) and Dr. Sandra Kirby (Manitoba Rowing)

Para Athlete of the Year – Jacob Wassermann (Saskatoon)

Senior Athlete/Crew of the Year – Paris Olympics Canadian Women’s Eight

Under 23 Athlete of the Year – Giancarlo DiPompeo (University of Victoria/St. Catharines Rowing Club) and Aidan Hembruff (Western University and Ottawa Rowing Club)

Under 19 Athlete of the Year – Lucas Maroney (Notre Dame Rowing Club/Ontario NextGen Performance Centre and Elizabeth Najjar (Don Rowing Club)

Tony Zasada Memorial – Anna Currie (Calgary Rowing Club) and Giancarlo DiPompeo (University of Victoria/St. Catharines Rowing Club)

 President’s Award – Doug Diet (LaSalle Rowing Club), Judy Sutcliffe (Argonaut Rowing Club), and Susan Kitchen (Argonaut Rowing Club)

International Achievement Award

FISU WORLD UNIVERSITY ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS  

WOMEN’S PAIR (W2-) • 1ST  
Eliza Dawson • Washington State University  
Sally Jones • University of British Columbia  

MEN’S FOUR (M4-) • 2ND  
Julian Black • University of British Columbia  
Aidan Della Siega • University of British Columbia  
Axel Ewashko • University of British Columbia  
Sam Stewart • Western University  

LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S SINGLE (LM1X) • 2ND  
Giancarlo DiPompeo • University of Victoria  

LIGHTWEIGHT MEN’S DOUBLE (LM2X) • 3RD  
Connor Dodds • Brock University  
Charles-Etienne Tabet • Brock University 

WOMEN’S EIGHT (W8+) • 3RD  
Mikaela Holthuis • University of Victoria  
Danica Ariano • University of Victoria  
Jacqueline Blunt • University of British Columbia  
Gabrielle Kieser • University of Victoria  
Ceilidh MacDonald • Queen’s University  
Rachel Weber • Western University  
Gabriella Worobec • University of British Columbia  
Gabrielle Yarema • Western University  
Gabriella Diaz [cox] • University of British Columbia 

PARIS OLYMPICS WOMEN’S EIGHT (W8+) • 2ND 
WORLD ROWING CUP II • 1^ST 
Jessica Sevick • University of British Columbia / Calgary Rowing Club  
Caileigh Filmer • University of Victoria Rowing Club  
Maya Meschkuleit • Don Rowing Club / Yale University  
Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski • Club d’Aviron Knowlton  
Avalon Wasteneys • University of Victoria Rowing Club  
Sydney Payne • Brentwood College Rowing Club  
Kristina Walker • Kingston Rowing Club / University of British Columbia Rowing Club  
Abigail Dent • Kenora Rowing Club / University of Michigan  
Kristen Kit [cox] • University of British Columbia / St. Catharines Rowing Club  
Kristen Siermachesky [Racing Alternate] (Brockville Rowing Club)  

ROYAL HENLEY REGATTA WINNERS – THE TOWN CHALLENGE CUP – WOMEN’S 4- 
Piper Battersby  
Leia Till  
Shaye dePavia  
Morgan Rosts  
(Rowing Canada Aviron National Training Centre) 

CANAMMEX INTERNATIONAL REGATTA  

WOMEN’S PAIR B W2- • 3RD  
Mia Bulmer • Ottawa Rowing Club  
Jackie Cruikshank • Argonaut Rowing Club 

MEN’S FOUR M4- • 3RD  
William Jacques • Vancouver College  
Elijah Baughen • Brentwood College School  
Aiden Djerfi • St. Catharines Rowing Club  
Gabriel Cinq-Mars • Argonaut Rowing Club  

WOMEN’S SINGLE A – W1X • 2ND  
Makena Kubica • Peterborough Rowing Club  

MEN’S DOUBLE – M2X • 1ST  
Jack Coulson • Ottawa Rowing Club  
Remo Cramer • Calgary Rowing Club  

WOMEN’S DOUBLE – W2X • 3RD  
Paige Hayworth • Argonaut Rowing Club  
Calla Webster • Brockville Rowing Club  

MEN’S SINGLE A – M1X • 2ND  
Calvin Pally • Saskatoon Rowing Club 

MEN’S PAIR A – M2- • 3RD  
Tristan Chang • Victoria City Rowing Club / BC-NGPC  
Maximilian Powell • Victoria City Rowing Club / BC-NGPC  

WOMEN’S FOUR W4- • 3RD  
Jaime Taylor • Branksome Hall / Argonaut Rowing Club  
Isabella Janczewski • Havergal College / Argonaut Rowing Club  
Emerson Wehmeyer • Leander Boat Club  
Sophie Bell • Connecticut Boat Club / Ridley College 

WOMEN’S QUAD – W4X • 3RD  
Makena Kubica • Peterborough Rowing Club  
Samaya Khosla • Ottawa Rowing Club  
Calla Webster • Brockville Rowing Club  
Becca Zubricki • Winnipeg Rowing Club 

MEN’S EIGHT M8+ • 3RD  
Elijah Baughen • Brentwood College School  
Aiden Djerfi • St. Catharines Rowing Club  
Gabe Cinq-Mars • Argonaut Rowing Club  
William Jacques • Vancouver College  
Joshua Mills • Vancouver College  
John Carmichael • Upper Canada College / Hanlan  
Maximilian Powell • Victoria City Rowing Club / BC-NGPC  
Tristan Chang • Victoria City Rowing Club / BC-NGPC  
Charlotte Hastings [cox] • Argonaut Rowing Club  

MEN’S FOUR M4X • 3RD  
Jack Ciocca • St. Catharines Rowing Club  
Jack Coulson • Ottawa Rowing Club  
Remo Cramer • Calgary Rowing Club  
Calvin Pally • Saskatoon Rowing Club 

WOMEN’S EIGHT W8+ • 2ND  
Mia Bulmer • Ottawa Rowing Club  
Jaime Taylor • Branksome Hall / Argonaut Rowing Club  
Cameron Arthur • False Creek Rowing Club  
Emerson Wehmeyer • Leander Boat Club  
Paige Hayworth • Argonaut Rowing Club  
Jacqueline Cruikshank • Argonaut Rowing Club  
Isabella Janczewski • Havergal College / Argonaut Rowing Club  
Sophie Bell • Connecticut Boat Club / Ridley College  
Charlotte Langois [cox] • Ridley College Rowing Club 

Long Service Awards

In recognition of 15 YEARS: 
Shelley Fletcher • Cascadia  
Tim Henderson • Rowing BC 
Glenn Robb • Rowing BC 
Tim Powell • Kingston  

 In recognition of 20 YEARS:  
Kris Davis • Rowing BC 
Russell Hart • Regina  
John Haver • Saskatoon  
Helen Healey • Nicomeki  
Peter Klinkow • Burnaby  
Meredith Petrychanko • SCRC  
Carla Shore • Rowing BC 
Gord Sund • Rowing BC 
Barbara Vogl • Rowing BC 
Malcom Fletcher • Rowing BC 

In recognition of 25 YEARS  
Craig Jollymore • Kennebecasis  
Jill Wurflinger • Rowing BC 
Jane Sorensen • Victoria City Rowing Club 

In recognition of 30 YEARS  
Laris Grikis • Burnaby  
Chantelle Hanley • Row New Brunswick Aviron  
Brie Jedlic • Regina  
Rick McDougall • Inlet R.C.  
Jennifer Stewart- Mitchell • Regina 

In recognition of 40 YEARS  
Howie Campbell • University of Victoria  
Brian Carr • Brentwood  
Brenda Cook • Regina  
Ted Cooke • Regina  
Carla Pace • Rowing BC 
Susanne Walker Curry • Rowing BC 

In recognition of 45 YEARS  
Paul Marcotte • Saskatoon  

In recognition of 50 YEARS  
Ken Campbell • St. Catharines Rowing Club  
Bruce Ford • Burnaby  
Tricia Smith • Rowing BC 
John Richardson • University of British Columbia 

In recognition of 55 YEARS  
Clive Wright • Victoria City Rowing Club  

In recognition of 60 YEARS  
Bob Ellard • Regina