By KATIE EDWARDS
With the finish line in sight and the regatta coming to an end, the boat’s rowers increase their intensity to come out with a win and take third in states.
The girls Lightweight 4 team (coxswain Megan Miller, Amy Cotton, Jessica Spinelli, Laura Ramiz and Amanda Ponce) won third place and Overall Scholastic Cup Winner in the 45th Florida Scholastic Rowing Association State Championship Regatta in Sarasota on April 24-25.
The girl’s Freshman 4 (coxswain Kimmy Kent, Alexis McAloon, Jordyn Mellow, Alyssa Combs, and Jessica Schumacher) won third place.
“Our strengths are that even though we have small numbers, our kids are extremely dedicated and put forth 110 percent effort all the time,” girls coach Chelsea Curto said.
The boys and girls Lightweight Varsity 4 and boys Varsity 4 qualified for Scholastic Rowing National Championships in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Memorial Day weekend.
“Every athlete is strong in different areas. Some are the strongest ergers or best boat movers. The seniors obviously have the most experience, but novices stepped up right away and know the attitude they need to win,” Curto said.
Ponce became a novice on varsity her sophomore year and would have rowed her freshman year if she hadn’t been doing gymnastics. To qualify for the Lightweight 4, one has to be 130 pounds or less.
“Our technique is a lot cleaner than other teams, which gives us that extra edge to win races and makes us more efficient,” Ponce said.
Aside from Varsity 4 and Varsity 8, there are single rowers like senior Marvin Leininger.
“My strength is my technique and my experience because I have been on the team since my freshman year,” Leininger said.
Although Leininger rows alone, he practices along side the varsity team and recently received a full ride to Jacksonville University on a crew scholarship. He placed sixth overall in the state. Leininger was invited to attend the U.S. National Development Team Sculling Camp over winter break in Tempe, Arizona.
The boys Varsity 4 (coxswain Elena Finer, Jordan Bohannon, Paul Fleming, Robbie Shaffer and Sean Treiber) won third place in states. The boys were a half second from second place and one second from first, which qualified them for Nationals.
“Our strength is our heart. We are small and aren’t the strongest, but we try our hardest to win and be the most competitive at our level,” junior Sean Treiber said.
The boys Lightweight Varsity 4 took home a fourth place finish in the state, and the boys Heavyweight Varsity 4 won third place and a bronze medal.
“The most exciting regatta for the boys has been states. They train for 10 months straight for just a six-minute race that defines their season. All that training is up to six minutes of who wants it the most,” boys coach David Dojcsak said. “The way I saw my boys perform on that Sunday at the State Finals, I could not be happier; they fought for every second of that race. As for the boys, they discovered a new level of dedication and desire that day. It was definitely our most exciting regatta.”
If interested in joining crew visit www.BooneCrew.com for more information.