OUA Rowing Championships take to the water Friday in St. Catharines

Both the Western Mustangs men's and women's rowing teams are looking to repeat as provincial champions when the 2014 OUA Rowing Championships begin Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Canadian Henley Rowing Club in St. Catharines, Ont.

The Mustangs team put together another strong season, including winning an astonishing 18 gold medals in 25 events at the Head of the Trent Regatta in Peterborough, Ont. back on October 4th. The men's varsity team won every 8+ event at the tournament, while the women's varsity team won every event in the heavy weight division.

There is stiff competition from around the conference, though. The Queen's Gaels women's rowing team has won seven of the past 11 OUA Championships; the most recent coming in 2012. Like Western, the Gaels also turned in a strong showing at the Head of the Trent – the largest single day regatta in North America. The Gaels women took home four silver medals and one bronze on the afternoon. Queen's also won an overall title – men's and women's events included – at the Head of the Rideau Regatta in Ottawa on Sept. 29.

The Brock Badgers men are also heading into Saturday with championship aspirations. The men's team has alternated titles with Mustangs, winning the championship regatta in 2010 and 2012 and is once again considered a favourite.

As a team, the Brock men and women had tremendous success at the Five Bridges Classic in Welland, Ont., combining to win 24 medals, 10 of which were gold. The Badgers also made a splash at the Western Invitational, winning three medals at the season's first event.

Toronto, McMaster, and UOIT are three other teams that could land spots on the podium with each schools having had success at different events over the course of the season.

Historically, Toronto has been very strong at OUA rowing, but has not won a men's championship since 1981 or a women's championship since 2000.

Other schools participating in the event are: Guelph Gryphons, Trent Excalibur, Carleton Ravens, Ottawa Gee-Gees, McGill Redmen, York Lions and Laurentian Voyageurs.

The championships begin bright and early Saturday with the first event set to begin at 7 a.m while the OUA Development Regatta takes place today, Friday, October 24th. For a complete OUA Rowing Championship schedule, click here.