NAC shines at nationals

Qualifying rowers from the Newport Aquatic Center’s junior crew team

battled the elements and the opposition at the U.S. Rowing Youth

Invitational Regatta at Lake Harsha in East Fork State Park last week

outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

The five boats had to conquer weather conditions including rain,

wind and bright sunshine. Heavy crosswinds made it particularly

difficult for the bow seat rowers of the sculling boats to steer a

straight course. Competing against over 70 high school-age rowing

teams from all over the nation, the NAC made an impressive showing on

the 2,000-meter course (approximately 1 1/4 miles).

Brandon Dillman, in the men’s varsity single event, took home the

bronze medal, finishing in 7:40.46.

Dillman also helped the NAC men’s quad finish fifth. Dillman, at

the stroke seat, along with, scullers Greg Somers (bow seat), Clarke

Brooks (two) and Greg Schneider (three) dominated their race with a

first-place finish Saturday, qualifying them for the finals the next

day, where they finished fifth in the nation with a time of 6:41.54.

The men’s double, featuring Morgan Sabo and Blake Foster, took

second place in their race with a time of 7:16.51, earning them

eighth place in the nation.

“I’m extremely happy with the way the team performed,” said Rachel

Rose, the men’s team coach. “We are a young group, and this weekend

sets us up nicely for great success next year.”

In the women’s division, the women’s eight, took second in their

race, qualifying them for the finals, when they finished with a time

of 6:51.27 in a tight race, placing them sixth in the nation. The NAC

crew, rowing in their boat, “the Spirit of ‘02,” included: Jean

Geddes (bow seat), Meredith Irby (two), Erica Van Steenis (three),

Jill Austin (four), Laurie Dabney (five), Jessica Fritz (six), Sara

Walkes (seven), Esther Lofgren (stroke) and coxswain Lauren Lorman.

In the women’s quad event, rowing in their boat, “the Sea Lyon,”

scullers Claire McKay (bow seat), Anne Kircher (two), Mitra Grubb

(three) and Dana Hunt (stroke) placed eighth with a time of 7:36.48.

“Our squad of girls, both the quad and the eight, showed immense

passion and intensity,” said Christy Shaver, coach of the women’s

team. “Their continuous hard work paid off.”

Last weekend’s event ends one of Newport Rowing Association’s best

seasons in its 16-year history of high school rowing.