Rockford Represents at National Rowing Competition
Building on the legacy of Rockford Athletics, the Crew team qualified (3) events to compete for National ranking at the (SRAA) Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships Regatta in Camden NJ on May 27th-28th. Steeped in rich tradition, this race started in 1935, hosted as the Schoolboy Rowing Association of America’s annual regatta, where the winners are to be recognized as North American Champions. Women started competing in 1974. The name was changed to Scholastic Rowing Association of America® in 1976 to reflect the addition of women.
The Men’s V4+, the Women’s V8+, and the Women’s JV8+ earned their spot to compete on the national stage against a field of 148 Rowing Clubs, that advanced from (8) Regional platforms including: Florida State Championship, Midwest Championship, Garden State Scholastic Championship, New York State Scholastic Championship, Philadelphia City Championship, Virginia State Championship, Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association, and the West Coast Scholastics.
The Women’s Varsity 8+ boat had a strong race with the 14th fastest time among 27 other National contenders, but that was not enough to allow them to advance to the next rounds. The Women’s team coached by Grant Hoffman included crewmates: Hannah Mathis, Catherine Schipper, Katherine Scott, Bevin Smith-Kok, Claire Galloway, Riley Peterson, Izzy Macka, Ella Duffy, Coxswain – Josie Dickerson and alternate Wren Bennie.
The Women’s JV8+ assembled with mostly Freshman and Sophomore athletes did not advance from the initial round, but these young crewmates have gained the experience of what it takes to compete at this elite level. This crew included: Sophie Tawney, Julie Jansma, Bella Stauffer, Taryn Bock, Sidney Cramer, Molly Gilding, Kaitlin Hollebeek, Avery Nezwek, Coxswain – Rebekah Bazuin and alternate Lauren Kinstle.
The Men’s V4+ boat recorded an impressive time in their first Heat of the day (5:04.740), the third fastest time among a total group of 26 contenders. Despite this smoking fast time, they placed second in the heat, which required them to fight back through the, Repechage Rounds, where 2nd-3rd place finishers have the chance to advance to the Semi-Final rounds. The first-place finishers advance automatically to the Semi-Final Rounds. In the Repechage Round, the boys placed 3rd with a time of (5:10.851), earning a spot in the Semi-Finals.
On Day 2, the Semi-Final rounds the boys would have to place in the top 3 to advance to the Finals (1) Race, with a time of (5:02.878), they placed 5th, which had them advance to the Finals (2) race. Despite being forced out of the pinnacle of races, Finals (1), the boys team focused and delivered their best efforts into their final race in the USA. The Rockford Men’s MV4+ team finished 1st in the Finals 2 race. Technically a finish of 7th overall in the Nation, however a Personal Record (PR) time for the boat (4:58.798), and the 4th fastest time across 26 teams in the Nation. The crewmates for the Men’s event included: Linden Wells, Conner Wolownik, Garrett Floerchinger, Shane Johnson, Coxswain – Kaelyn Peterson and alternate Lucas Orlebeke.
Fun Fact, the State of Michigan, secured 3 of the top 5 fastest boats in the MV4+ event. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s placed 1st overall, followed by Rockford with the 4th fastest and Forest Hills Central rounding out the Top 5 fastest boats in the event. Way to represent – West Michigan!
Some members of Rockford Crew will head North to compete in the CSSRA, Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association, aka the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta held in St. Catharine’s, ON (CAN) on 6/03-6/05. Good luck Rams!
To learn more about Rockford Rowing please visit RockfordRams.org, or send questions and inquiries via email: contactus@rockfordrowing.com
