UQ rowers complete silver sweep

In an unprecedented performance, The University of Queensland Boat Club (UQBC) has picked up nine gold, six silver and five bronze medals at the recent Australian Rowing Championships.

Racing against bigger crews the club placed second overall at the championships, which took place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from March 3-9.

The standout performer of the meet was UQBC’s Jared Bidwell, who was crowned National Champion in the Under 23 single scull, double scull and quad scull.

The Queensland Academy of Sports scholarship holder was overjoyed with his haul of three gold medals after missing much of the season due to illness.

“I am obviously really happy with the way I rowed, I couldn’t have asked for much more,” Mr Bidwell said.

“It felt really good to come back and perform well, particularly in the single scull, to just leave everything out on the water.”

In other UQBC results, AIS scholarship holder Sally Kehoe rowed to victory in the Open Women’s eight, adding to her silver in the Open Women’s coxless quad and bronze in the coxless pairs.

The club’s younger rowers also featured prominently, with the Under 19 men’s squad victorious in the coxless pair, coxed pair, coxed quad and coxed eight events.

Another notable performance was that of 17-year-old Heather McNeil, who picked up bronze in the Under 23 women’s lightweight quad scull despite being one of the youngest competitors in the field.

Ms McNeill was recently awarded a 2008 Clem Jones scholarship from the University worth $5000 a year for three years.

While the Australian Rowing Championships is a club-based competition, select events are raced in a state versus state form, with the eights races a showcase event.

This year the Queensland Women’s Interstate Youth Eight, including UQBC’s Francesca Paterson, took gold to win the Bicentenary Cup and break a three year winning streak for Victoria.

UQBC rowers are now preparing for the all-important Olympic trials, which take place in Sydney next month.

Media: Stephen Danckert (07 3346 7519, stephend@uqsport.uq.edu.au) or Rachel Hawksford (07 3345 6031, rachelh@uqsport.uq.edu.au) at UQ SPORT