New Trier High School rowers were back in action on September 21st at the Milwaukee River Challenge where they captured three top-three finishes, including a second-place medal for the Men’s Junior 8+ boat and third-place medals for both the Women’s Junior 8+ boat and the Men’s Junior 4+ boat. Coming off one of the most successful Spring Season’s in the team’s history, with 7 of their 9 boats qualifying for the finals at the Scholastic National Championships this past May, New Trier proved once again this past weekend that they were a force to be reckoned with.
In addition, other boats competing included several Women’s Junior 8+ that placed sixth, tenth, and eleventh and two Women’s Junior 4+ boats which placed fifth and seventh. New Trier’s other Men’s Junior 4+ placed fifth and their other Men’s Junior 8+ boats finished eighth, ninth, twelfth and eighteenth.
The first regatta of the season, the 13th Annual MRC was held on a partly sunny day with variable winds. As it’s name suggests, the race was held on a three mile portion of the river that winds through downtown Milwaukee replete with unusual challenges for the crews as they must navigate a tight 90 degree turn and row under countless bridges before they barrel toward the finish line in Schlitz Park where excited spectators lined the riverwalk to cheer them on. According to the organizers, the regatta attracted 140 collegiate, high school and club entries from 18 different rowing organizations and 4 surrounding states. This regional event has grown considerably in size this past year, with over 750 athletes competing as compared to 650 last year. The Milwaukee River Challenge features a “Head Race” format, which is typical in fall rowing. Boats start at rolling intervals and are ranked based on the time it takes for them to finish the course.
Find out what's happening in Wilmette-Kenilworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Women’s Junior 8+ A boat “was just .41 seconds out of 2nd place,” said Rose Marchuk, New Trier’s Women’s head coach. “It was a very respectable race and they looked very solid. However, they have more speed in them and had to paddle down along one portion of the river to avoid a collision. I look forward to seeing how they stack up against their competition at upcoming regattas when they can row at full speed down the entire course."
Coach Nate Kelp-Lenane, New Trier’s Head Men’s coach, summated that “It was great having all our crews on the course in Milwaukee. We had one goal for this race, and that was to row well. Each boat had exceptional rhythm and control in their boat. This was a big success for our squad.”
Find out what's happening in Wilmette-Kenilworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Says one enthusiastic spectator, “If this regatta is any indication of what’s to come, then fasten your seat belts, because New Trier High School’s rowing season, once again, promises to be fast-paced, exciting, and successful.”
Junior Men’s 8+
A boat, 2nd place, 15:53.44
C Zach Vlahandreas
S Richard Nicolaides
7 Rourke Pattulo
6 Drew Flannery
5 Jack Shelton
4 Raymond Weeks
3 William Stogin
2 Kenneth Michalec
B Josh Kuppersmith
Junior Women’s 8+
A boat, 3rd place, 17:57.26
C Hannah Elsman
S Menley Denham
7 Caroline Going
6 Carolyn McShea
5 Isabelle Daellenbach
4 Grace Joyce
3 Heidi Conaghan
2 Grace Gagliardi
B Madi Cruger
Junior Men’s 4+
A boat, 3rd place, 17:37.38
C John Carberry
S John Dolan
3 Brendan Gridley
2 Drew Flannery
B Josh Kuppersmith
