Poughkeepsie, New York - The Rockland Rowing youth team made a great showing on Saturday medaling in every event entered. Over 250 athletes competed at the McCann Center at Marist College for the the Indoor Sprints Regatta hosted by the Hudson River Rowing Association.
Coach by Melissa Boyd, eighth grade girl Caroline High raced first in the day in the combined boys and girls 7th & 8th grade 1,000 meter event. High won gold for the fastest time among the eight girls and finished second overall in the combined field of 18. All other races for the day were 2,000 meters.
In the junior women's lightweight event heavy hitter Gabriele Welp IHA '19 had a decisive win, the fastest overall girls time of the day and set an event record. Joining Welp in the race to the podium was junior lightweight rower Michaela Davidson Clarkstown North '19 who captured bronze in the field of 27.
In the junior women's openweight division senior Ariel Deljanin Northern Valley Old Tappan '18 captured bronze and senior Chloe Young Ridgewood '18 was not far behind earning fourth place of 52.
Coach Veli Etropolski led the boys to success. Sophomore lightweight rower Ryan Almond Clarkstown North '20 took silver in the junior men's lightweight division in a field of 44. Competing in the same event junior Matthew Davidson Clarkstown North '19 came in fourth and sophomore Kevin McCabe Northern Valley Demarest '20 finished seventh.
Junior Jake Bardorf Clarkstown South '19 captured bronze in the junior openweight men's category, the most entered event with 58 athletes. The team secured another three top-10 finishes in the event with Anthony Rostek Tappan Zee '20, Anthony Feteira Clarkstown South '19 and Billy Grippi Tappan Zee '20 finishing 5th, 6th and 9th respectively.
Overall it was an inspiring way to end the indoor training season. The rowers are anxious to be back on the water this month and harness the speed they cultivated on the erg this past winter.
