Hodgson commits to Wisconsin
After making official visits to several NCAA Division 1 universities, Wisconsin ended up being the rowing destination for Ava Hodgson.
“My parents and I really focus on education and it is top 10 for my program which is biomedical engineering,” the Grades 12 student at Saint Michael said. “And it was also the coaches and atmosphere of the team. They are very inviting and honest and the way they run their practices is very methodical and well thought out. You can really see the benefits and there is great camaraderie.”
The clinching moment in her decision came when she was hanging out with the girls and other people on the team.
“It felt like I had know them my whole life and I felt very comfortable and at home there.”
The 17-year-old Niagara Falls resident started rowing the summer before Grade 7 at a learn to row program at the Niagara Falls Rowing Club. Once COVID hit, she continued on with on-line training until the sport returned to the water and she began competing in the fall of Grade 9.
Among her more notable rowing accomplishments are: third in the under-16 women’s quad at Henley; third at the 2023 Stotesbury Cup in the junior women’s double; and, silver medals at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association championships in 2023 and 2024 in the senior women’s 63-kilogram double and senior women’s open double.
Rowing is not Hodgson’s only sporting passion. She is an excellent rugby player and suited up for the Ontario Junior Blues team and a rep team called the Niagara Rugby Union Thunder 7s which travelled to competitions as far away as Tampa, Fla., and across the States.
She had a few offers to play Ontario University Athletics rugby.
“It was also a conversation that came up with U.S. schools too. ‘Do you prefer rugby or rowing?’ ”
Rowing won out for a number of reasons.
“I just think the opportunity was a little higher for rowing and I know my mom was apprehensive with the rugby as there is a high risk for injury. Every time you step on the field that is just kind of what is going to happen there,” she said. “I love them both but I think training and lifestyle-wise, rowing is better suited for me.”
Hodgson feels she has made strides as a rower in the past year, especially in regard to strength.
“I was always an endurance athlete and I ran a lot of cross country as a kid. I was always good at running for a long amount of time but a 2K race isn’t a long amount of time so I worked on my strength going to weights in the morning before school and just trying to maximize my explosiveness.”
Her goals for her freshman year are learning how to sweep and doing her best to balance sports and school.
“I know I didn’t pick an easy major but I want see myself improve in erg times and things like that,” said Hodgson, who has a 97-98 per cent high school average.
Niagara Falls Rowing Club coach Anthony Arcuri isn’t surprised Hodgson landed a NCAA Division 1 scholarship.
“She is very dedicated to the sport. She did multiple sports but she always put her time in for rowing and never neglected her training,” he said. “As she had more success, she put more time into it and that success bred more success for her.”
Arcuri loves that she gives back to the sport.
“Now that she is a senior she will give back time to help with our youth programs and try it days. She brings the novices under her wing and she will actually share boats with the novices in training.”
