NCS Crew Dominates VASRA Championships
The NCS crew team travelled to the Occoquan River in Virginia last weekend to compete in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) State Championships. The first and second boat competed against tough competitors from all over the state while enduring a last minute schedule change in anticipation of storms coming through the region.
Throughout Saturday morning, the race conditions varied between headwinds and tailwinds keeping the boats guessing about what to expect in their heats. In unstable weather conditions race officials often announce that in the event that the final races are cancelled, the race times from the heats would determine the medal standings. As such, all crews in all events raced at maximum effort in the qualifier.
Throughout Saturday morning, the race conditions varied between headwinds and tailwinds keeping the boats guessing about what to expect in their heats. In unstable weather conditions race officials often announce that in the event that the final races are cancelled, the race times from the heats would determine the medal standings. As such, all crews in all events raced at maximum effort in the qualifier.
The first eight was made up Sophie Bredenkamp '17, Naomi Davy '18, Hadley Irwin '16, Isabel Bogart '16, Hannah Yazdani '18, Serena Irwin '17, Beata Corcoran '18, Amelia Parizek '18 and coxswain Kendall Green '16. Their heat time of 5:04.4 proved to be the fastest heat time for all boats followed next by McLean with 5:13.8.
Racing in the second eight this weekend was Camilla Ryder '18, Grace Farran '17, Annabelle Rice '17, Arianna DiGregorio '16, Rory Meyer '18, Eva Phelps '18, Kat Sniezek '17, Caroline Garcia '18, and coxswain Maeve Murphy '17. They raced aggressively in their heat winning convincingly over the next crew and posting a time of 5:11.9. Their effort was good enough to edge out a sharp looking crew from TC Williams High school who posted a 5:12.8 in the next heat.
Although storms were on the horizon, the Girls Varsity 8 Final Race began with NCS taking a lead despite being met with gusts of wind down the course. The boat rowed strong and kept their lead for an open water win! This year is the first time NCS has taken the State Championship since 2009.
The second eight warmed up and was ready to launch when the storm came and gale force winds forced them to seek shelter. Unfortunatley the final races were cancelled for this boat but NCS was awarded the gold medal for their fastest-time performance in the morning.
The second eight warmed up and was ready to launch when the storm came and gale force winds forced them to seek shelter. Unfortunatley the final races were cancelled for this boat but NCS was awarded the gold medal for their fastest-time performance in the morning.