New Trier High School rowers won two gold medals at nationals last weekend, with the men’s freshmen 8+ and women’s junior 8+ prevailing over the field despite tough racing conditions.
Competing in the Scholastic National Championships on the Cooper River in Camden, N.J., New Trier also took second in the women’s freshmen varsity eight and third in the women’s varsity eight grand final events.
Boys Freshmen Coach Charles A. Richardson noted, "For the first time since 2007, the New Trier boy’s freshmen eight won gold at SRAA Nationals. Combining May’s Midwest Regionals and Scholastic Nationals, the freshmen boys finished first in every one of their championship heats, semis and finals. The coaching staff could not be prouder of their determination and dedication to each other."
Brendan Gridley, who sits stroke seat in the boat and sets the pace while racing said, "We all worked out during the offseason and put the boat before ourselves. I raced hard for the eight other guys on this crew."
The winning girl’s junior eight demonstrated a real competitive spirit all season long, according to Girls Varsity Coach and Program Director Rose Marchuk. “They knew how to have fun and still race to the best of their abilities, regardless of who they were up against or challenges that arose over injuries or bad racing conditions. They’re a young, fast boat that’s made up of all sophomores except for the coxswain who is a junior. They have a bright rowing future ahead of them.”
Six-seat, Kathryn Cosgrove said, "After our first race on Friday morning, the nine of us in the junior eight knew we were going to have to take it one race at a time as the competition was really tough. All in all, our boat pulled through and we were able to win against some very competitive schools. I feel so lucky to be part of such a great crew."
Called the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships Regatta, the two-day event drew 569 entries from 15 states and Canada. The teams rowed on a 1,500-meter course. The weather was cool, rainy and windy and at times significant choppiness challenged the New Trier crews, which placed as noted below:
1st - Men's Freshmen 8+ 4:37.404 and Women's Junior 8+ 5:04.015
2nd - Women's Freshmen 8+ 5:12.972 3rd - Women's Varsity 8+ 4:58.909 4th - Men's Lightweight Varsity 8+ 4:34.087
5th - Men's Varsity 8+ 4:23.746
6th - Men's 2nd Varsity 8+ 4:45.643
The Women’s Lightweight 4+ and 2nd Varsity 8+ made it to the semis
First, second and third-place crews were:
Girls Junior 8+ - Gold Medal
c Grace Anne D’Amico
8 Menley Denham
7 Ellie Adams
6 Kathryn Cosgrove
5 Emily MacAdam
4 Jacqueline Gossard
3 Heidi Conaghan
2 Grace Gagliardi
1 Natalie Denby
Boys Freshmen 8+ - Gold Medal
c Thomas Brittingham
8 Brendan Gridley
7 John Dolan
6 Rourke Pattulo
5 Stefan Pavolvski
4 William Kirby
3 Willem Kupets
2 Spencer James
1 Jonathan Alcantara
Girls Freshmen 8+ - Silver Medal
c Julia Bergquist
8 Elise Sharkey
7 Katie Schretter
6 Claire Baisley
5 Carly Schmeissing
4 Stephanie Song
3 Bella Miller
2 Hanna Skinner
1 Rani Duff Girls
Varsity 8+ - Bronze Medal
c Emily Avrick
8 Alexis Braunrot
7 Caroline Going
6 Colleen McConnell
5 Carolyn McShea
4 Isabelle Daellenbach
3 Olivia Gignilliat
2 Julia Wolf
1 Katie Lashmet
Below is a list of graduating New Trier seniors who are rowing in college: Emily Avrick, Boston University Daniel Bergquist, Purdue University James Breen, Michigan State University Harry Conkey IV, Santa Clara University Jack Cook, University of Washington Joseph Figura, MIT Jon Gustafson, Purdue University Tanner Johnson, University of Mississippi Samuel Levis, Syracuse University Matt Mayer, University of California – San Diego Colleen McConnell, Michigan State University Lynsey Robertson, Columbia University Rachel Watkin, Cornell University Samuel Weeks, University of Wisconsin William Young, Dartmouth College
Finally, New Trier Rowing just launched its Anniversary Boat Campaign to celebrate the recent 10-year anniversary of the program. The goal is to raise funds for one new 8+ boat for the girls team and one for the boys team. Further information can be found at www.newtrierrowing.com.
