Eights team member Mike Belenkie was inspired to become a rower after watching the sport on TV during the 1992 Olympic Games. One of his first big meets was the 1993 Canada Games and he registered three top-five finishes. He majored in mechanical engineering at the University of Calgary.

2000 Games
Sept. 20: Men's eight: Michael Belenkie, Calgary; Bryan Donnelly, Calgary; Matt Swick, St. Catharines, Ont.; Tom Herschmiller, Comox, B.C.; Lawrence Varga, Nanoose Bay, B.C.; Morgan Crooks, Lethbridge, Alta.; David Calder, Victoria; Adam Parfitt, Victoria, and Chris Taylor, St. Catharines), finished third in repechage heat, eliminated.
Sept. 18: Men's eight: Michael Belenkie, Calgary; Bryan Donnelly, Calgary; Matt Swick, St. Catharines, Ont.; Tom Herschmiller, Comox, B.C.; Lawrence Varga, Nanoose Bay, B.C.; Morgan Crooks, Lethbridge, Alta.; David Calder, Victoria; Adam Parfitt, Victoria, and Chris Taylor, St. Catharines, Ont.), finished third in heat, dropped to second-change repechage.
2000 Games Rowing Coverage