Olympic Hopeful Grace VandenBroek Chooses Trent University Over Other Schools

Peterborough Grade 12 student Grace VandenBroek had Stanford, Harvard, Princeton and many other top-tier American and Canadian universities actively pursuing her after an impressive showing at the world junior rowing championships this past summer. 

But the young rower has chosen her postsecondary home, and it's right here in her hometown: Trent University. As one of Canada’s top young rowers, VandenBroek was inspired by and drawn to the opportunity to remain in the city, and to continue training with Carol Love—Rowing Canada’s NextGen Hub lead coach and one of the best rowing coaches in the country.

Photo courtesy Trent University

“I really like the idea of having Carol as my coach as I continue to develop and hone my rowing skills and experience,” says the 17-year-old, who has been training with her since Grade 9. “With the one-on-one coaching, Trent’s varsity program really focuses on the whole athlete. I like Trent’s size, the close proximity to home, and Trent offers a nice balance of rowing and academics. I love the feeling of the campus.”
 
“Trent will give Grace the rich environment a small and outstanding university experience can offer,” says Coach Love. “The supports and balance of home, the community and the University will enable her to excel in the goals she has set for herself.”
 

Photo courtesy Trent University

She's only rowed for about three years, but VandenBroek has had amazing success with the sport to date: Last summer, in her first international competition, she took home a bronze medal in the women's double at the World Junior Rowing Championships in Trakai, Lithuania. VandenBroek was also named Rowing Canada Aviron 2017 Junior Athlete of the Year.
 
Future Olympians like VandenBroek will benefit from the magnificent Otonabee River rowing setting and state-of-the-art training facilities at the Trent Athletics Centre.

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