Trent Excalibur varsity rowers Braydon Walsh (Orillia, ON) and Emilie Mirfield (Astorville, ON) have been named among 100 athletes advancing to the 2026 RBC Training Ground National Final, where they will compete for funding and support as RBC Future Olympians. 

More than 3,100 athletes aged 14 to 25 took part in qualifying events across Canada this year. At the October 3 final in Toronto, Braydon and Emilie will demonstrate their speed, strength, endurance, and power in front of scouts from national sport organizations. 

For Braydon, a third-year Kinesiology student, the selection follows a year of progress from Trent’s junior varsity program to a leadership role on the varsity crew. He placed second in junior varsity doubles sculling at the 2025 OUA championships, then helped the varsity men’s quad win bronze at the 2026 Dad Vail Regatta. 

“Being a Trent rower has greatly prepared me for this opportunity. My coaches and teammates continue to keep me motivated and test my limits every time we show up for training," said Braydon. "Being a finalist is a chance to showcase my athletic capabilities and to grow as an athlete, hopefully opening up new possibilities down the line." 

Braydon added that he is looking forward to continuing to develop as a rower and meeting athletes from across the country. 

“Braydon is one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever met,” said Shelley Adair, head of Trent Excalibur rowing operations. “He looks at every stroke, and every workout as an opportunity to become a better racer.” 

Emilie, a fourth-year Biology student, earned a place on Trent’s varsity women’s team in her first season after novice rowing. She won OUA bronze in the varsity women’s four in 2024 and gold in the women’s pair at the 2025 Head of the Trent. That year, she also reached a final in the women’s pair at the Canadian University Rowing Championships. In 2026, she added gold in the women’s quad at the Dad Vail Regatta. 

“Emilie has pursued excellence since her first stroke as a novice rower,” said Brianna Tombs, assistant coach of Trent varsity rowing. “She takes every stroke with focus, precision, and power.” 

"Trent Rowing has been everything in terms of my preparation for this event," said Emilie. "I never would have discovered rowing if it wasn’t for Trent’s excellent novice rowing program and never would have continued to improve without the incredible coaches and supportive teammates at Trent Rowing and at the Peterborough Rowing Club. My goal is to use this opportunity to test my training, push my limits, and put my best foot forward." 

To support their pursuit of high performance athletics and representing Team Canada, athletes selected as RBC Future Olympians will receive financial support, mentorship from RBC Olympians, and coaching from a national sport organization.