Rowers Beat Personal Bests At Indoor Rowing

Justin Faye rowing while Peter Walsh coaches and Anissa Halbert cheers. Photo submitted

Rowers from the Lakeland Rowing Club and Lakeland College Rustlers competed in the 2024 Alberta Indoor Rowing Championships on March 9 in Blackfalds, hosted by the Central Alberta Rowing Club.

Local members of the college and community clubs represented the best of Vermilion’s athletic mindset, with every team member setting a new personal best while fighting against their mind and pushing hard to finish strong.

Seven student members representing Lakeland College each rowed 2000 metres. In the Senior Women’s division, Kylie Stafford clocked in at 8:19, Anissa Halbert at 8:28, and Tiara Pihrag at 8:58. In Senior Men’s, Kyle Niedermaier rowed an impressive 6:53.

In the Novice Women’s division, Rayna Bender rowed 8:01, while Grace Churchill rowed 8:23. In Novice Men’s, Justin Faye rowed 7:39.

Masters Women Janice Jackson and Jamie Stromberg represented the Lakeland Rowing Club, with Stromberg placing third in her division. Coaches Derek Collins and Peter Walsh rowed in the Masters Men’s division, with Walsh taking the bronze medal. Masters divisions rowed 1000 metres. All but two of Vermilion’s rowers beat the time they were aiming for.

“It was an excellent event,” said Walsh. “We had three rowers that hadn’t been to this event before, so for them it was quite an education.”

Congratulations to these athletes on their determination and hard work leading up to this last competition of the year.