Marin girls' crew tops nation for second straight year
CalHiSports.com doesn't cover the sport of crew because there really is no organized high school competition in California, or any states for that matter.
That doesn't mean that there are not countless numbers of young student-athletes that use crew as a ticket to some mighty fine educational institutions.
A perfect example is the Marin Rowing Association, located in Larkspur, whose teams have sent countless young men and women on to college and successful rowing careers.
Founded in 1968, it began as a boys program for only the Redwood of Larkspur boys and later girls, but now has student-athletes from high schools throughout Marin County as well as San Francisco participating in its highly-regarded program.
The current stars of the program for high school age boys and girls is the Women's Varsity 8+ that just returned form winning its second straight Junior National Rowing Championship, June 12-14 at Harsha Lake in Cincinnati.
On June 8, CalHiSports.com was actually on the water in the chase boat, watching the girls in a capacity as a local Marin journalist.
We rode shotgun in the pontoon-style boat with MRA Executive Director and Women's Varsity 8+ Coach Sandy Armstrong while the girls were practicing for the Nationals on Corte Madera Creek near Highway 101 in Larkspur, just off San Francisco Bay waters. The part that seemed so exciting was the start as they practiced on their own without an official starter.
Coxswain Chelsea Lucas, a recently graduated senior from Redwood who will be on the Cal crew team next year, was in total charge.
"Attention, (pause) go! Pryyy,” said Lucas, drawing out the y in pry as she encouraged the girls to pry the water.
With that command, the girls shot forward and Lucas continued to bark commands and encouragement crouched from her seat.
"Slow down and let your knees come to your chest so when you have the blade to the water you can feel the connection,” said Armstrong from the drivers seat of the chase boat after the girls practiced several starts in the deep choppy waters.
"Good power. I like what I see. Nice blade to the water. We're good to go,” continued Armstrong after the girls had fine-tuned things to her liking.
Whatever Armstrong imparted to them about their start must have worked because on the chase boat she admitted that the girls' starts have not been their strength in the past.
In Cincinnati, the girls blew away from the starting line and led from start to finish, winning in 6:45 for the 2000m race, and by five seconds over Phillips Exeter Academy from New Hampshire.
Besides Lucas, the rest of the national title team included: Stroke, Erica Rippe, Drake (San Anselmo), senior, Cal; Caitlin Morgan, senior, Drake, Stanford; Michelle Leason, junior, Tamalpais (Mill Valley); Caroline Rosetti, senior, Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco), Cal; Kristy Wentzel, junior, Drake; Olivia Ley, senior, Branson (Ross), Princeton; Fiona Duffy, senior, Tamalpais, Columbia; bow seat, Audrey Wooster, senior, Redwood, Princeton.
Marin Juniors are racing this weekend at the 2009 Youth National Championships at Harsha Lake in Cincinatti. Coaches Sandy Armstrong and Graham Willoughby are each bringing two boats, all of which qualified at the '09 Regional Championships in May. The girls are bringing a Varsity 8+ and a Lightweight 2x and the boys are bringing a Varsity 8+ and a Lightweight 8+. Racing begins on Friday morning and all racing can be tracked on www.racetrak.com. I'll be updating the post as often as I can.
Men's Varsity 8+, Women's Varsity 8+ and Men's Lightweight 8+ Make Finals at Nationals.
What a great day of racing today, not just for the Marin Juniors but across the board. Last year the progression was different in that in the semis (when you finally got there)it was top 3 to the final. But this year, due to the number of crews attending the regatta, the difficult path to the semis continues by having to be top 2 out of the semi into the final. The level and speed of racing is incredible. EVERYONE had to go for it today - there was no room for holding back and playing games. The result of that it that the times are pretty remarkable and also tell the tale of what could happen in the final. That being said, only 5 seconds separates the top 6 crews in the VW8+ - it's anyone's race.
Both men's varsity and lightweight 8+'s rowed outstanding races to make it into the final. The Women's Lightweight 2x of Lauren Rollins and Willa McCormack took second in the C Final after an incredible sprint from 5th place to take 2nd. The times of the race from second place: 8:39.03, 8:39.72, 8:40.48, 8:41.3 what excitement! Tomorrow are the finals and it will be a showdown in every event. I am super proud of the kids - they are representing the MRA so very well. On a day of great racing and great weather(thank you) TEAM MARIN was a force to be reckoned with!
The Women's 8+ repeated for the Gold medal in a time of 6:40, 5 seconds ahead of second place Phillips Exeter. The Men's Lightweight 8+, in an unbelievable sprint that almost got them the win, took the Silver medal behind Newport AC and the Varsity Men's 8+, after two strong performances got them into the final, took a 5th place 4.45 seconds behind frist place Newport AC.
Having been on the shoreline watching all the racing today I can tell you that the Marin Juniors were so very impressive in all aspects; technical, physical and spirit. I am proud of all of us!
Good Luck and Go Team Marin!!
http://www.marinrowing.org/article.php?story=20090608232020947