Maroney named to CanAmMex roster
Lucas Maroney is taking full advantage of an early start in rowing.
Introduced to the sport by his father, Evan Maroney, and grandfather, Edward Maroney, the 15-year-old Welland resident started rowing in Grade 5 with the South Niagara Rowing Club’s Learn to Row program.
The Grade 9 student at Notre Dame continued on with summer camps and despite having never competed in a regatta, the 6-foot-1, 163-pounder was recently named to Canada’s CanAmMex roster. It is uncommon for a Grade 9 athlete to be named to the squad.
“Although there will be no CAM in 2021, Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) feels it is still important to announce a CAM squad. This squad represents those athletes who would have been invited to the CAM selection event. Additionally, if we are able to run regional programming or camps over the summer, this is the group that would be invited to participate,” a Rowing Canada press release said.
Athletes were selected for CanAmMex — normally a developmental regatta for young Canadian, American and Mexican rowers — based on submitted ergometer scores throughout the month of May.
“It (submitted scores) is mainly for junior worlds and obviously being my age my time wasn’t up there with 19-year-olds, but I was sent an email that I was selected to the squad for CanAmMex which I was very happy about.”
Maroney found out the good news via email.
“The first thing I did was run outside and show my parents. It was ‘What is this?’ I was shocked,” he said.
The selection was validation for the work Maroney has been putting in.
“It was a big realization how much I have progressed. To be honest, I didn’t even think it was an option because the regatta is not running. It really caught me by surprise.”
Maroney started at the Ontario Academy of Rowing in Welland in September after hearing about the elite program from another rower at Notre Dame. He applied and was accepted to the program.
“It has been non-stop hard work,” Maroney said. “Obviously with COVID, it was hard to get on the water but ever since then we had training programs sent to us every day just to keep us fit for when the water season comes.”
The Academy athletes have been back on the water for past couple of months in smaller boats and Maroney loves the competitive atmosphere.
“I am pushing hard to keep up with the older boys. It is really nice to have someone to almost look up to and see how fast I can really be.”
He trains six times a week, including daily sessions at 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
“It’s non-stop training and being the best that I can be.”
He has lofty hopes for his rowing future.
“My dream, big goal is obviously the Olympics but for now my next goal is to make the junior national team next year. Now that I made CanAmMex, that is my next step.”
He is hoping there will be some regattas to attend in the fall.
“That would be really nice. I have never raced a single or a double and I haven’t been to a regatta yet.”
Wherever the sport takes him, it will be a labour of love.
“I love the hard work and the dedication and the commitment that it takes. And it is always a challenge. It is never comes easy. There is always something to look forward to and work for.”
