Gomez commits to Vikes
Andreas Gomez’ dream of attending the University of Victoria began four years ago.
The Niagara Falls native was attending a rowing camp in British Columbia with Ridley College and was able to tour campuses at several local universities.
“It was the first school I ever went to see and it was an amazing time there,” Gomez recalled. “It was crazy to think how four years later I’m going to the first school I ever saw.”
Gomez said it was love at first sight.
“It caught my eye and it was an absolutely awesome campus with a great environment,” he said. “I’ve always loved B.C. and the great outdoors.”
Gomez recently committed to the school after also being accepted at St. Francis Xavier, Dalhousie University, the University of British Columbia and the University of Hawaii.
“I had some options,” said Gomez, who plans to major in nursing. “Education was the main goal. I wanted to go to a school that best fit my education. I had to plan out where I wanted to go. All those schools had excellent nursing programs and then rowing was my next priority.”
Gomez said the rowing part of the equation put UVic over the top.
“Their rowing program is one of the best in the country. I couldn’t turn down that offer and they have an amazing hands-on nursing program.”
Gomez, who rowed for Ridley in a lightweight four and lightweight double earning a silver and bronze at the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association Regattas in Grades 10 and 11, is excited to see how his talents translate to the university level.
“They are trying to build their lightweight program so the goal for next year is to make the light four and double and hopefully win a national title,” he said.
To that end, Gomez isn’t taking anything for granted, putting the extra down time thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic to good use.
“My first priority is to find my motivation through these tough times,” he said. “I have a white board at home and write down my goals, what I want to do for the week, for the year and my lifetime goals. I keep looking at that and that honestly does motivate me.”
Gomez said he is working out three times daily — cardio, weights and yoga — and is also keeping a close eye on his diet.
“I want to be a competitive athlete in university. I’m trying to stay active and trying to eat really, really clean. I’m trying to be the best, and in order to be the best, you have to train hard.”
Gomez admits life without Ridley is going to be strange.
“It’s a little bit bittersweet, to be honest,” he said. “This has been my home since Grade 3. I’ve gone to school there for over half my life and it’s like no other school. You create connections like no other. It’s incredible how many close friends I have that will last forever.
“The rowing changed my life. Without the rowing, I honestly have no idea what I would be doing now. It really helped me grow as an individual and I learned a lot.”
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Bill and Bernie.
