This past weekend, the NAC Junior Rowing team traveled to San Diego to compete in the prestigious Crew Classic, and they delivered outstanding performances across all levels. Both the boys and girls squads demonstrated their depth, resilience, and competitive spirit against some of the top programs in the nation.
Boys Program
U19
The NAC Boys had a strong showing, putting together some tough races and proving the depth of their squad. The Varsity 8: Overcame a challenging start to finish 3rd in a fast field. They made a hard push toward 2nd-place Norcal, but ultimately ran out of water, finishing just 0.6 seconds behind. The JV 8: Both JV entries raced hard, with the top JV boat securing 3rd place and the second JV boat finishing 7th overall—a testament to the team’s growing competitiveness and depth.
U17
The two U17 8+ boats finished 4th and 6th. While the crews were disappointed with their results, they now have a month of solid training ahead to gain speed before the Southwest Regional Championships.
This weekend provided great momentum as the team looks ahead to regionals, where they’ll continue building on their Crew Classic performances.
Girls Program
U19
The Varsity 8: Champions once again! For the second year in a row, the NAC Varsity 8 led wire to wire, dominating a field that included Marin and Saugatuck, two of last year’s top four finishers at Nationals. The 2nd Varsity 8: Demonstrated the program’s depth, with NAC’s JV boat finishing 2nd and the 3rd Varsity boat placing 4th. These results highlight the program’s strength and consistency at all levels.
U17
One of the most exciting victories of the weekend came in the U17 8+, where NAC captured the title for the first time in program history. Notably, this boat was one of the few to win from Lane 4, a notoriously difficult lane on Mission Bay’s course. A strong U17 group is crucial for the program’s future, and this victory is a promising sign of what’s to come.
A huge thank you to all the parents and supporters who came out to cheer on the team and help make the trip run smoothly. Your energy and dedication are invaluable to NAC Junior Rowing’s success.
With just over a month until the Southwest Regional Championships, NAC is primed and ready to build on this momentum.
Go NAC!
All photos by Thomas Hauge @crewpix
