Set to become a Rhode sculler
Niagara rower going to Rhode Island on athletic scholarship
A school on the east coast, relatively close to her home in Ridgeway?
Check.
A Division I rowing program that embraces newcomers as the latest extensions to an extended family?
Got it.
If it’s not asking too much, something close to the ocean?
Check that, too.
When the time came for Madison Thomas to decide where she wanted to study cell and molecular biology on an athletic scholarship, the University of Rhode Island checked off all the boxes.
To the 17-year-old French-immersion student at Welland Centennial Secondary School, Rhode Island made her feel “right at home.
The daughter of Dave and Deanna Thomas made three campus visits in all, but Rhode Island – specifically, its rowing program – was the most welcoming.
“It felt a lot more homey than the other ones did,” she said. “Everyone down there was pretty nice.
“It was a little more laid-back than the other places I visited.”
Thomas, who declined to identify the other universities she visited, was impressed with the “personality” of Rhode Island rowing program.
“It’s not so much like rushing to do everything,” she said. “The rowing program is definitely very good.
“I really like the attitudes, the team was more like they’re a family, which is definitely comforting when you’re moving eight hours away.”
Thomas, whose four-year athletic scholarship is renewable annually, has achieved success rowing singles put prefers competing as part of a crew. “Although I rowed a single a lot, I like crew boats,” she said. “Winning in the single is kind of lonely, winning with a crew there’s just this amazing vibe.
“There’s just nothing else like it, sharing that experience with someone is amazing.”
On the flip side, an also-ran finish is much easier to deal when a rower is part of a crew.
“You have support when you lose,” she added. “It’s way easier to sit down and pick apart what happened.”
She was in Grade 4 when she was introduced to the sport through a learn-to-row program. The oars have held her in their grips ever since.
“I like the hard work,” she answered with a laugh. “It just stuck with me, I don’t know how else to explain it.
“Whenever I have time off from it – at first it’s great because I get to relax – but then I get a couple of weeks into my break, I’m getting antsy to get back at it again.
“It’s just amazing.” Juggling athletics with a demanding course load won’t be the only things Thomas wants to keep in balance in her first year at university. A musician who has played flute for nine years and alto saxophone for the past year, Thomas hopes to continue playing the flute at Rhode Island.
The high school senior credits sports with giving her much-needed breaks from her studies.
“Rowing definitely helps with that, it gives you a nice break,” she said. “Instead of focusing on all the school work and stress, suddenly you’ve got another goal.
“And for those, like, two hours you’re in practice, it’s just that. It’s nice, a nice break between study sessions.
‘‘
“You can study, go row. It’s like a reset button.”
MADISON THOMAS
Welland Centennial Secondary School rower
“You can study, go row. It’s like a reset button. You’re fresh when you come back to study again.”
Thomas began thinking about rowing being her ticket to a fully funded university education in the U.S. after she p sixth in a single at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association regatta in her first year in high school.
“The thought kind of crossed my mind that maybe this can amount to something.”
In Grade 11, she competed in Head of the Charles in Boston. She placed fifth in the double.
“After that, it was, ‘Maybe I should look at schools, maybe I should actively create a recruiting account.’”
Thomas began emerging on Rhode Island’s radar through her strong showings at the club level for the St. Catharines Rowing Club.
“Madison rows for a well-known rowing club,” said Jessica Lizzi, Rhode Island’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. “In addition, we have an assistant coach, Katie Roberts, who participated in that club as well.”
Lizzi described Thomas a “well-rounded student, athlete and musician.” She will be a welcome addition to the Rhode Island rowing program, the recruiting co-ordinator said.
“In addition to her outstanding race results, we were impressed with Madison’s work ethic and personality,” Lizzi added. “She is competitive, and her desire to make an immediate impact was evident from the first time we met her.
“She is a high achiever in all areas of life, and we look forward to working with her.”
Thomas, who hopes her education at Rhode Island will lead to a career in genetics research, ranks “persistence” as her
No. 1 strength in rowing, as well as in her life.
“I’m very dedicated to the sport,” she said. “If I don’t do well in something, I’m always looking to better myself.
“I don’t let the defeats in rowing get to my head. I just keep pushing to get better, I use it as encouragement instead.”
At a signing ceremony held at Centennial this week, Thomas praised the support she received over the years from coaches Vince Amodeo, Michele Fisher and Pat MacNally.