Clemson, SC – High Point Rowing Club stunned perennial favorite Asheville with a barn burning sprint at the finish to win the Division I Junior Girls Eights title at the Clemson Sprints in South Carolina on Saturday.
It was an historic first victory for High Point over Asheville in the Division I ranks and fitting that it took place on Lake Hartwell in Clemson where the club enjoyed its first boat victory in the novice division two years ago this weekend. Coxswain Bethany Brake, who was at the helm of both historic wins, said her crew savored Saturday’s boat race victory. “Every girl in the boat was grunting and yelling and giving it everything. I felt like the girls were competing and I knew they really wanted it.”
The crew comprised of coxswain Bethany Brake, stroke Victoria Goldin, Maddie Mullins, Junior Ognovich, Aliute Udoka, Emma Lloyd, Addy Millsap, Kim Pollard, and Jaclyn Hronich started strong in the 2,000 meter boat race final but could not match Asheville’s early pace. Although down slightly off the start, High Point drew alongside Asheville in the middle stages.
Brake said it was the final sprint that set the two crews apart. “It was obvious who had the endurance and willpower to maintain till the end,” said Brake.
Varsity girls coach Allie Davis said the girls were challenged by a crew they had not previously raced this season. “But they stuck to their race plan and broke away in the sprint. I was so proud of the way the girls put everything they had into their race, even after racing earlier in the day in other events as well. It’s so obvious that this boat loves rowing together, I feel incredibly lucky to be a part of something like that. These girls deserved that win – they’ve worked so hard and really have committed to becoming something great this season.”
Girls Varsity Eights
1. High Point 7 minutes 18 seconds
2. Asheville 7:22
3. Triangle 7:45
4. Palmetto 8:30
5. Charlotte 8:56
The win crowns High Point as the top girls crew in the Carolinas for the first time as the team continues its quest toward qualifying for the National Championships in June.
In boys racing, High Point’s varsity lightweight four crew of coxswain Kiki Davis, stroke Andrew Wright, Kyle Koval, Crosby Howard and Austin Young posted the best result of the day with a close second place finish in the varsity lightweight fours final. The crew finished several boat lengths ahead of Asheville but were were pipped at the post by St Edwards high school from Ohio, which was on a spring break training camp for the week in Clemson.
Boys Lightweight Fours
1. St Edwards 7 minutes 37.2
2. High Point 7:37.9
3. Asheville 7:46
4. Charlotte 8:04
5. Lake Lanier 8:15
The visiting St Edwards High School also won gold in the boys Division I Eights final, well ahead of the field with Asheville, High Point and Triangle trailing in that order.
Next up for the High Point youth rowing squad is the Dogwood Regatta in Oak Ridge, TN in two weeks.
