The local Capital Crew Youth Rowing Club has just returned from the spring racing season opener at the San Diego Crew Classic (SDCC), Crew Classic spans a lifetime of rowing, bringing athletes from novice to Olympian together, and is the place for rowers to “grow up”. Many athletes first spring regatta experience is at the SDCC as high school competitors. As a teenager, the SDCC is the greatest introduction to the world of rowing: it is larger than life.
Capital entered 5 boats with 45 local high school athletes to attend the two-day, nationally acclaimed regatta, consisting of over 100 races with more than 2,800 athletes. Held on Mission Bay the Capital athletes had their work cut out for them against some of the country’s most elite clubs.
Capital Crew’s Women’s Youth 8, coxed by Alyssa Ramierz(Folsom High), with rowers: Izzy Delavoye(Oak Ridge HS), Kate Schroeder(Davis HS), Maya Resinger(Oak Ridge HS), Grace Torchiana(Oak Ridge HS), Isabella Roberts(Bella Vista HS), Mary Anderson(Folsom High), Claire Rosales(Oak Ridge HS) and Tatum Hall (St.Francis) fought hard in the semis to advance to the Sunday Grand Final.
Facing a field of the top elite youth programs; Newport Aquatic Center, Marin Rowing and Saugatuck Rowing Club, Capitals’ Youth Women led the field through 750m, with the lead changing hands among the top teams. Marin and Newport faced off and broke out from the pack to wrestle for the lead with Newport ultimately finishing first. Capital then challenged Saugatuck to a duel for 3rd through 1,500m before facing down Oakland Strokes who contested with Capital leaving them with 5th overall.
Youth Rowing returns to Lake Natoma this week. Capital Crew will be hosting River City Rowing and Los Gatos Rowing Club from 8a -1:30p, on Saturday April 13 for inter-league meet in preparation for South West Regional Championships May 3-5, 2024 at the SacState Aquatic Center 1901 Hazel Avenue in Gold River. These events are open to the public. For more information on youth rowing programs and the regatta schedule visit www.sacstateaquaticcenter.com.
Photos: Chris Torchiana
