In 2000, Szarka dressed in 16 games as the starting fullback, cementing his role with the team. This being his fourth season, he caught a career-high 13 catches for 174 yards and one touchdown. In the first game of the 2001 season, Szarka got his first career rushing touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He finished the season with 51 carries for 243 rushing yards and three touchdowns. In 2002, Szarka started all 18 games and finished with a career-high 105 carries and 424 rushing yards and five touchdowns. near the end of the season, Szarka was voted by the fans as the most popular Roughrider.