‘There is always more to give’
Canadian gold medallist credits rowing for helping her overcome challenges
The oars crash into the water and the coxswains howl motivational mantra.
Rowing races between large crews of eight can resemble caterpillars rushing across the water.
It’s the purest form of teamwork.
There’s no other place Morgan Rosts would rather be.
Rosts, who hails from Jordan, won a second consecutive gold medal for Canada with the women’s eight crew. She helped the women’s eight edge Netherlands by two seconds at the 2018 World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Poland on July 29.
The United States finished close behind for third place.
“My teammates are some of my best friends, and when there are days that I am less than 100 per cent, having the support of them motivates me to keep on pushing,” said Rosts. “We were the underdog last year, this year we were the favourites, which had its own pressures and challenges.
“It is very exciting to be able to compete at the international level to test how much speed we created as a boat after the four weeks of training together.”
The crew also consists of coxswain Laura Court, of St. Catharines, Kendra Wells, Sydney Payne, Avalon Wasteneys, Isabelle Ruby-Hill, Stephanie Grauer, Madison Mailey, and Ivy Elling-Quaintance.
Rosts graduated from Governor Simcoe Secondary School and attended the University of Virginia on a rowing scholarship.
She followed in the footsteps of her older brother Ryan, who attended Northeastern, as well as sister Mikayla, who rowed at the University of Texas. Her younger brother Steven is also on a rowing scholarship, in his freshman year on the water with the University of Washington.
She was inspired to take rowing to the next level after watching Ryan compete at the U23 World Championships in 2012.
“Seeing him row for Canada really inspired me to do the same some day,” she said. “Once I got to the University of Virginia, many of my current teammates and alumni had competed for their country at the international level, which made me believe that I could be on the same path as them.”
Besides her brother, Rosts
‘‘ “Seeing him row for Canada really inspired me to do the same some day.” MORGAN ROSTS National team rower
named a few coaches as inspirations.
“At the grassroots level, my first coaches Kathy Boyes (Simcoe) and Nancy Storrs (Ridley Grad Boat Club) allowed me to still compete in other sports, while being introduced to rowing,” she said. “Kevin Sauer (University of Virginia) took a chance on me and gave me the opportunity as a student-athlete.
“He taught me that there is always more to give. I’m thankful to all of my family, friends, past and present coaches. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
Rosts’ university coach, Sauer, noted her ability as an all-around athlete when she first arrived in Virginia.
“She had a lot of room to grow as a rower since she played basketball and ran track in high school,” said Sauer. “After initially getting used to training for rowing year-round, Morgan trained hard during the winter break and summer periods, which allowed her to improve immensely over her last two years.”
Sauer added she had a positive impact on the team.
“Morgan has such a positive attitude every day, and is one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the privilege to coach,” he said. “She really reached out to those on the team that may have not received the most attention and encouraged the younger rowers.”
Rosts credits rowing for developing her as a person and teaching her to challenge herself on a daily basis, including pushing her mentally and physically to the ultimate limits.
“It has been the ultimate door opener for me. Rowing gave me an opportunity for education at a world-class school, friendships with people from all over the world, competing at the highest collegiate, national and international levels, and gave me opportunities to see the world,” said Rosts. “Rowing has also showed me how to balance academics and sports, helped me become a well-rounded person that can overcome challenges and embrace opportunities that come my way in the future.”