Rinaldi and Garon-Gendron named McGill athletes of the week

MONTREAL - Rowers Jonathan Rinaldi (left) of Montreal's Notre Dame de Grace region and Renaud Garon-Gendron of Boucherville, Que., are the McGill University athletes of the week for the period ending Nov. 1, 2009.

The tandem teamed up for a surprise finish atop the podium in the men's lightweight double at the Canadian University Rowing Association championships, held at the Olympic rowing basin at Ile Notre-Dame, Sunday. It marked the first-ever gold medal performance for the McGill crew at the championships.

Rinaldi is a 22-year-old marketing junior, while Garon-Gendron is a 21-science sophomore majoring in microbiology and immunology. They completed the two-kilometre race in 7:00.6, crossing the finish line exactly two second faster than the UBC boat (7:02.6).

Rinaldi and Garon-Gendron, who previously attended Vanier College and College Edouard-Montpetit, respectively, are now headed to the national rowing championships on Fanshawe Lake in London, Ont., Nov. 3-4.

SOURCE:

Earl Zukerman

Communications Officer

McGill Athletics & Recreation