Sarasota, Florida – High Point Rowing Club concluded the 2018 USRowing Southeast Youth Championships with a record four crews racing in grand finals and gold won by its U17 women’s quad scull crew.
The gold medal came in the last race of the weekend for High Point. Molly Hilemn, Arte Blythe, Kinkead Crotts, Charlotte Curri won the North Carolina State Championships in April and on Sunday in Sarasota they left nothing to doubt with a blistering start that quickly led to an open water lead after only 250 meters of racing in the 2,000m final.
No crews could challenge High Point throughout the race and the race soon became a procession with St. Andrews finishing in second place 8 seconds behind.
The win capped a strong day for High Point that saw a record four crews racing in finals.
Junior Ognovich opened racing for the club in the final of the women’s single sculls with a 4th place finish.
Next up Harry Capizzi and William Hundley overcame early steering issues in the men’s pairs race to finish 5th in the 7 boat final.
Ainsley Fox and Charlotte Curri also finished 5th out of 7 crews in the final of the lightweight double sculls.
“I am really proud of the performance of our squad here in Sarasota,” said head coach Gene Kininmonth. “With over 1400 rowers racing from across our region this weekend this is an extremely competitive rowing event. Congratulations to all our rowers racing here, especially to those making finals and winning gold medals.”
