On a sunny morning on Dillon Lake, Gunston’s Boys Junior Varsity 4+ made program history by advancing to the Semi-Finals of the Scholastic Rowing Association of America’s annual National Championship Regatta. This is the third year in a row that Gunston’s Rowing Team has qualified for this regatta. Each year the SRAA National Championship takes place over a two day period with qualifying Heats and Repechages on the Friday, and Semi-Final and Final races on the Saturday.
Boys launching for their Friday Heat
The Boy’s Junior Varsity Four of Coxswain Lauren Covell (Annapolis, MD), Stroke Ben Jones (Chestertown, MD), 3 Seat Garrett Rudolfs (Centreville, MD), 2 Seat Alex Papadopoulos (Townsend, DE), and Bowman / Boy’s Captain Ethan Boone (Centreville, MD) placed second in Friday’s heat 8 seconds behind Canisius High School of Buffalo, NY and ahead of Kearny High School (Kearny, NJ), Saint Ignatius College Prep (Chicago, IL), and Stone Bridge High School (Ashburn, VA). The Boy’s JV Four’s 2nd place finish secured a spot for the next day’s Semi-Finals where they placed 6th and subsequently.
“Friday’s second place in the heat was such an exciting moment for this crew,” said Stimpson, “the boys rowed their race exactly as we practiced and I am so proud of their poise and composure. We are headed home with our heads high after our placement in Saturday’s Semi-Final. They rowed against some very talented crews, gained valuable race experience, and are now hungry to get back out there next year.”
Girls Racing in their Heat
The Girl’s Varsity Four of Coxswain / Coxswain Captain Tong Shen (Easton, MD), Stroke / Girl’s Captain Kylee Naumann (Rock Hall, MD), 3 Seat Elena Sherman (Middletown, DE), 2 Seat Maddy Romberger (Sudlersville, MD), and Bow Aggie Raymond (Easton, MD) placed 5th in their heat behind very tough competition from around the country: Ann Arbor Pioneer High School (Ann Arbor, MI), Sebastian River High School (Sebastian, FL), Egg Harbor Township High School (Egg Harbor Township, NJ), and Mt. St. Joseph Academy (Fourtown, PA).
“The girls also executed their race plan as practiced, had a great start off the line and held their own against a tough field. It was bittersweet for our two seniors, Kylee and Aggie, to finish their high school rowing careers at this event and pass the baton to the underclassmen in their boat,” commented Stimpson, “All of the senior girls on our team have left a strong legacy for the younger generation of this program and I look forward to seeing our underclassmen follow in their footsteps next year.”
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