Crossley rower heading to Brock
Braeden Miltenburg is a classic late bloomer.
The Grade 12 student at E.L. Crossley grew up in Fonthill playing hockey as well as a variety of other sports but never ventured near a rowing shell until he was approached in Grade 11 by Crossley rowing coach John Ruscitti.
“Mr. Ruscitti came up to me in my class and said I should try it so I went out and tried it and I did pretty well,” Miltenburg said.
Ruscitti felt Miltenburg had what it took to succeed.
“Braeden is an excellent young man,” Ruscitti said. “I heard good things about him from his peers and of course his height was also an asset. It didn’t hurt that his mom was also a former coxswain. Good rowing pedigree.”
Miltenburg introduction to rowing came in the winter.
“It’s not the same in the winter, right? So when I started, I was a little bit off and on at the start, but when I got on the water, it was instant.
“I got it right away.”
That doesn’t mean Miltenburg didn’t have to work hard for his success.
“There’s a lot of small adjustments that can throw off everything, so it’s very precise, and a lot of people can’t pace themselves for a long distance,” Miltenburg said.
Miltenburg had immediate success with a pair of bronze medals as part of crews at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association (CSSRA) Regatta as well as gold medals at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in Philadelphia. He also placed 10th at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Massachusetts.
“Braeden is a late comer to the sport in high school but has steadily improved and gets better every year. His best years are ahead of him as he is very coachable and is an easy guy to like.” Ruscitti said.
Miltenburg will continue to row next school year at Brock where he will major in mathematics and statistics.
“It was kind of always Brock,” he said. “I didn’t plan to apply anywhere else and when I got into the program I was looking at it was a pretty easy choice for me personally.
“Brock was always the first option.”
Miltenburg made his decision after visiting the school and meeting the team.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “The team, they’re a bunch of great guys.”
Miltenburg is well aware of the calibre of rowing at the university level.
“I think it’s going to be difficult. I’m hoping the transition is not too crazy hard, but I know it’s going to be a lot of competition,” he said. “I’m hoping I can keep up.”
Miltenburg is willing to do whatever he is asked at Brock.
“I’m not sure yet (of my role). Hopefully a bit of everything.”
Miltenburg is grateful to Ruscitti and fellow Crossley coach Pat McNally.
“They’re great. They’ve pushed me to go really, really far,” Miltenburg said.
He also mentioned his parents, Pamela and Brian Miltenburg, and brother Brody Miltenburg.
“My parents have always helped me through the tough times a little bit. They’ve always kept me going and brother has always been there.”
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