Huge success for TC Junior Crews at State Championships

The Treasure Coast Junior Rowing Team competed amongst 41 clubs this past weekend at the FSRA Sweep State Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, FL. This State Championship Regatta was a two day event stacked with 276 entries. Treasure Coast entered 5 crews with rowers from Jensen Beach High School (JBHS), Martin County High School (MCHS), South Fork High School (SFHS), Jupiter High School (JHS), The Pine School, Oxbridge, Clark Center for Advanced Learning, Hidden Oaks Middle School (HOMS) and Stuart Middle School (SMS).

The competition is a 1500 m sprint with crews racing up to four times over the two days. Treasure Coast Girls 2- (pair), Shelby Cavanagh (JHS) and Sarah Larson (JBHS), placed 5th overall out of 13 crews. The Boys 2- (pair), Austin Haines (MCHS) and Gabe Kammel (Clark Center for Advanced Learning), placed 6th overall out of 12 crews, despite another crew rowing into their lane at the start of the final. Both of these crews only began racing in the 2- (pair) 3-4 weeks ago.

The Girls Freshman 8+, which included Coxswain Gigi Dunn (SMS), 8: Lindsey Scanlon (MCHS), 7: Hope Ali (MCHS), 6: Taylor Sanders (HOMS), 5: Alison Santi (MCHS), 4: Samantha Sytsema (MCHS), 3: Brooke Stern (HOMS), 2: Cassie Collins (SMS), 1: Gabriella Galland (HOMS), placed 8th overall out of 11 crews.

The Girls Junior 4+, which included Coxswain Jordyn Golden (HOMS), 4: Aislinn Widmeier (SFHS), 3: Evie Flaugh (JBHS), 2: Brooke Bartenfelder (MCHS), 1: Jules Fox (Oxbridge), placed 8th overall out of 18 crews. This crew had to race four times over the weekend in the most challenging progression.

The Girls Junior 8+, which included Coxswain Faiza Ahmed (Pine School), 8: Josephine Kaidy (JBHS), 7: Baylee Slone (HOMS), 6: Elizabeth Smith (MCHS), 5: Madeline Schroeder (MCHS), 4: Samantha Tolton (SFHS), 3: Shannon Major (MCHS), 2: Jordan Blair (MCHS), 1: AnaGabriela Alvarez (JBHS), placed 5th overall out of 11 crews missing out of 4th place by .27 seconds.

“Overall the regatta was a huge success,” said Women’s Head Coach Stefanie Falkner. “I am proud to coach this group. They are a determined, young crew competing against older rowers, but they went out there each time and rowed their hearts out.”

The Treasure Coast Junior Rowing Team will begin Summer Learn To Row Camps May 16. For all camp information go to www.treasurecoastrowingclub.com.