Rowing Selection Update

WAIS rowing athletes Perry Ward and Ross Brown have put themselves firmly in the minds of selectors after the lightweight pair combination secured a hard fought win at the national selection trials on the weekend.

In a thrilling race, Ward and Brown were pushed all the way and claimed victory by just .17 of a second over the Queensland pairing of Bigg and Purcell. Ward and Brown crossed the line in 6:59.09mins and now appear favourites to race the boat at this year’s world championships.

WAIS scholarship holder Georgia Baker returned a good result in securing second place in the women’s single scull. Baker produced a well measured race but crossed the line just .52 of a second behind Victorian Alison Crowe. WAIS’ Ashleigh Miles captured fifth place in lane seven.

2008 Beijing Olympian Jeremy Stevenson finished in sixth place in the men’s single scull. In the men’s coxless pair, Brendan Murray and Christian Eyres finished third in a time of 7:05.57mins in their heat, whilst fellow WAIS athletes Cameron Brewer and Rhys Grant finished third in their heat with a time of 6:53.83mins.

The AIS-WAIS combination of Emily Rose and Libby Alderman gave a good account of themselves, finishing second in the women’s pair against reigning champions Sarah Cook (ACT) and Kim Crow (Vic). Cook and Crow recorded a time of 7:32.03mins which was eight seconds ahead of the WA pair.

WAIS athlete Sam Collins had a win as part of the men’s junior coxless pair, coming home in a time of 7:00.12mins over the two kilometres. Fellow WAIS junior Tom Gatti was fourth.

Bunbury resident and WAIS scholarship holder Alex Hagan finished fifth in the women’s junior single scull. Matthew Cochran (WAIS) finished sixth in the men’s single scull.