Medal bonanza for Warwick rowers in nationals
ROWING: Warwick rower Ella Hudson has won five gold medals at the nationals at the Sydney International Rowing Centre at Penrith.
The Somerville House boarder started with a gold medal in the single scull and then stroked the U17 double scull to win gold in a very competitive age group
Ella stroked the U17 quad to a gold medal win in the fastest time for the past five years and made it four gold medals when her crew won gold in a tight finish in the 500m sprint race.
She made it five gold at the nationals by stroking the U17 schoolgirls VIII to a victory. They won by nearly 10 seconds.
Her older sister Harriet joined with fellow Sydney Rowing Club member Romy Davenport to win the U21 double scull.
Harriet then came second in the open women's double scull behind a gold medal combination with Olympic experience.
She was part of the New South Wales team which led for much of the Queen's Cup before dropping back to silver behind Victoria. The Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove presented the cup medals.
She finished the regatta with three gold and three silver medals to make a total of eight gold for the sisters.
Later this month, Ella will return to the 2000 Olympic course at Penrith to represent Queensland in the Pathway VIII. She is trialling for Australian junior selection and is coached by Dan Boddice, of Toowong Rowing Club, in Brisbane.
