The Newport Aquatic Center Junior. Rowing team just wrapped a four day long regatta at the Youth National Rowing Championship in Sarasota, Florida. There were nine NAC crews that traveled to the competition, all having very strong performances throughout the weekend.
Men’s Youth 8+
The top boat for our men’s program, the 1V8+, had a competitive time trial, coming across the line with the 12th fastest time. They entered into their eight boat semi-final with confidence but an urgency to beat some other fast crews to secure one of the top four spots to advance to the grand final on Sunday. They battled with Central Catholic Crew down to the finish line, coming in 4th and punching their ticket to the Men’s Youth 8+ grand final on Sunday. The grand final was a dog fight for all eight crews, with Row America Rye winning the event and NAC coming in 8th in the Nation.
Women’s Youth 8+
The top boat for our women’s program, the 1V8+, had a very fast time trial, coming in 4th overall. The semi final was much of the same, giving them a real challenge to secure a top-4 spot. The NAC women finished second to Row America Rye in the semi-final, advancing to Sunday’s grand final. On Sunday, there was no holding back and the women’s 1V8+ battled with Rye, Saugatuck and Winter Park all the way down the course, finishing 2nd in the country. This boat brings home a silver medal for the second year in a row.
Men’s Youth 2V8+
The second boat for our men’s program, the 2V8+, had a competitive time trial, coming across the line with the 8th fastest time. They entered into their eight boat semi-final with confidence but an urgency to beat some other fast crews to secure one of the top four spots to advance to the grand final on Sunday. They battled with Deerfield Academy Crew down to the finish line, coming in 4th and punching their ticket to the Men’s Youth 2V8+ grand final on Sunday. The grand final was a thrill for all NAC fans to watch, as this NAC boat was leading at the 500-meter mark! The 2V8+ finished third overall, bringing home a bronze medal. This is the first time the Men’s 2V8+ has ever medaled at Nationals.
Women’s Youth 2V8+
The second boat for our women’s program, the 1V8+, had a very fast time trial, coming in 2nd overall. The semi final was much of the same, giving them a real challenge to secure a top-4 spot. The NAC women finished first, edging out Row America Rye in the last 250 meters in the semi-final, advancing to Sunday’s grand final. On Sunday, there was no holding back and the women’s 2V8+ battled with Rye and Saugatuck all the way down the course, finishing 3rd in the country. This boat brings home a bronze medal for the second year in a row.
Women’s Youth 2V8+ B
The third boat for our women’s program, the 3V8+, battled in their time trial, coming in 16th in the 2V8+ category overall. The semi final was much of the same, giving them a real challenge to secure a top-4 spot. The NAC women finished 7th in their semi final, advancing to Sunday’s petite final. On Sunday, there was no holding back and the women’s 3V8+ battled in a very competitive race, finishing 7th in the B final.
Boy’s U17 8+
After much inclement weather on the time trial day, all U17 races were pushed to start on Friday morning. Our U17 boy’s 8+ finished 10th in their time trial. They had to turn around and race their semi-final that evening, coming in 6th, and advancing to the B final on Saturday morning. It was a very competitive B final, with a lot of fight coming out of the NAC boys. They finished 4th in the B final.
Girl’s U17 8+
After much inclement weather on the time trial day, all U17 races were pushed to start on Friday morning. Our U17 girl’s 8+ finished 12th in their time trial. They had to turn around and race their semi-final that evening, coming in 6th, and advancing to the B final on Saturday morning. It was a very competitive B final, with a lot of fight coming out of the NAC girls. They finished 3rd in the B final.
Men’s Youth 2-
The Men’s 2- for NAC dominated the field all weekend long. They had a very fast time trial, coming in first overall on Thursday. They continued the trend on Friday, finishing first overall in their semi-final and securing the fastest time of the day for this event. Sunday had gold written all over it for the NAC Men’s 2- and they were able to secure it with a winning time of 06:52. Augustine Freijo and Owen Clark are National Champions in the Men’s Youth 2-.
Boy’s U17 4+
After much inclement weather on the time trial day, all U17 races were pushed to start on Friday morning. Our U17 boy’s 4+ finished 13th in their time trial. They had to turn around and race their semi-final that evening, coming in 7thth, and advancing to the B final on Saturday morning. It was a very competitive B final, with a lot of fight coming out of the NAC boys. They finished 8th in the B final.
Full Picture Albums by Crew Pix, Thomas Hauge: https://www.flickr.com/photos/187015448@N05/albums/
