New Trier Rowers Win 14 Medals, Take Midwest Title

New Trier rowers on Sunday dominated the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships, winning medals in 14 events and taking the overall points trophy for the fifth consecutive year.

A dozen of the school's crews qualified for the scholastic national championships next Friday and Saturday in Camden, N.J. Another three qualified for the USRowing Youth Nationals in Oak Ridge in June.

The women’s first varsity eight easily won its race, as did the women’s second varsity eight. New Trier’s men’s varsity eight finished a strong second to Central Catholic High School of Pittsburgh.

“Next weekend, 87 boys and girls will be racing the best high schools from around the country,” said Rose Marchuk, head coach of New Trier Rowing. “They are well prepared and motivated to face their greatest competition of the season in what should be some very close races.”  

A total of 282 crews from 33 clubs in seven states competed in the regatta, held on Melton Hill Lake. The crews rowed on a 1,500-meter course, flanked by gently rolling hills. The regatta was shifted to Oak Ridge from Cincinnati because of severe flooding on the Ohio River.

On Saturday, qualifying and semi-final races were delayed two hours because of fog that enveloped the course. On Sunday, a slight headwind slowed times.

WOMEN'S

The New Trier women’s team won the first place points trophy in its category.

Winning women’s crews, besides the first and second varsity eights, were the varsity four, freshman eight, and varsity lightweight eight.

Taking second was the novice eight. The junior varsity eight won third place.

MEN'S

The New Trier men’s team won the second place points trophy in its category.

Winning men’s teams were the freshman eight and the novice lightweight four. Taking second for the men, besides the varsity eight, were the junior eight and the lightweight eight.

Third place men’s winners were the junior four, and the second varsity eight.

The qualifying crews will be racing in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championship Regatta in Camden, N.J., on May 27 and 28.

In addition, three varsity boats also qualified to race at the USRowing Youth Nationals on June 10 and 11 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The women’s varsity eight, varsity four, and lightweight eight all qualified by winning their event.

Caroline DeWeirdt, a captain of the women’s teams, and a rower on the winning varsity eight, said: “I think I saw every rower on our team go out to the course, race, and pull their hearts out. This proves how hard we have worked and how much we want to be National Champions.”

Alex Swift, also a women’s captain, said: “I was incredibly impressed with how our entire program rowed this weekend. Every girl from novice to varsity brought an intensity and focus that was truly inspirational. The same goes for our men’s team. It was amazing to be a part of such a strong dedicated team of athletes and I couldn’t be prouder of our performance.”