High Point, making its debut in the high school women’s Division 1 varsity ranks, shocked Triangle Rowing Club of Raleigh to win the prestigious women’s varsity eights title at the 2014 High Point Regatta on Saturday.
The crew of coxswain Cara Mills, stroke Catherine Thompson, Katie Ognovich, Olivia Mangus, Sarah Catto, Aisinn Antrim, Morgan Sheehan, Emma Lloyd, and bow Bethany Brake led from the outset on the Oak Hollow Lake rowing course to clock a new record time of 5 minutes 1 second for the 1,500m race.
High Point demonstrated its strength in the sport by picking up five of the seven titles in the sudden death duel boat series with Triangle. High Point also won the women’s first and second division novice eights, and the men’s novice eights and fours events.
Entering the regatta as the underdog, High Point quickly saw the momentum shift to its favor once racing started in the Women’s Varsity Eights event and the hometown crew powered to more than a boat length lead over its Raleigh rival. What started out as a Cinderella story soon became a dominant triumph in the closing stages as High Point pushed out to a comfortable win.
“This was High Point’s first attempt in the Division I ranks and to earn a victory against this Raleigh program was a big time win for our program,” said High Point head coach Gene Kininmonth. “The crew found great rhythm out on the water today and truly stepped up.”
Regatta Secretary Mary Horan said the team is very grateful to Triangle for coming to High Point to race this weekend. “We are also very thankful to all of the volunteer supporters including parents and coaches, who brought such enthusiasm to making this event such a special one for all the rowers from both teams.”
Next week the High Point Crew heads to South Carolina for the Clemson Sprints, a regional regatta featuring top high school and collegiate crews from five different states.