The T.C. Williams crew team put in a powerful performance at the May 9 “states” competition, capturing three state titles, as well as two silver and one bronze medal. The Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) designated the T.C. team as the top girls’ team in the regatta for the second straight year.
The May 9 Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships were a battle of top boats in the Commonwealth, which in turn has some of the nation’s strongest teams. Forty-six teams competed. The boats raced on the Occoquan Reservoir in Sandy Run Park in Fairfax on Saturday, May 9. This competition among the Upper Boats was the second week of competition for Virginia state titles, following last week’s Lower Boat competition.
Leading the way to the medal dock for T.C. Williams was the girls’ first varsity 8 boat, which successfully defended its title from last year against a tough field of challengers. The girls’ first 8 won a pitched battle against McLean to capture the gold medal. Behind at the 750-meter mark, the girls concentrated all their energies for a final sprint, passing their rivals one-by-one. They crossed the finish line 2.2 seconds ahead of rival McLean, which had narrowly defeated T.C. in their prior contest at the Occoquan Reservoir. The girls posted a time of 4:53.8, their best in a competition this season. Members of the first 8 include Brooke Teferra (coxswain), Maria Justiano, Claire Embrey, Katie Murphy, Reed Kenney, Amelia Bender, Maura Nakahata, Maeve Bradley and Kyra McClary. Jaime Rubini coaches the boat.
The boys’ first varsity 4 also faced tough competition in its final. The boys won their heat in the morning but had to contend with the state’s fastest boats in the afternoon. The boys staged an exciting final sprint from behind, powering past rivals Fairfax and West Springfield, and then held off a strong last-minute challenge from W. Springfield to win the gold medal. The boat finished with a time of 4:53.4, .2 seconds ahead of West Springfield. The Titan boys’ first 4 took home the Mathews Challenge Cup, given annually to the fastest first 4 in Virginia. Members of the boat include Angelo Leitner-Wise, Carter Weitekamp, Preston Tracy, Tyler Souza, and Anthony Ponichtera (coxswain). The boys’ first 4 is guided by coach Pete Hearding.
The T.C. girls’ varsity light weight 8 boat won the most decisive victory of the day. With a strong start, it quickly pulled into the lead and put increasing amounts of open water between itself and its competitors as the race continued. The girls continued to compete against the clock, finishing the race in 5:04.8, almost 32 seconds ahead of Woodson High School. Members of the T.C. light weight boat include Elizabeth Roda (coxswain), Rachael Vannatta, Olivia Anthony, Sierra Arnold, Abby Prall, Sarah Scroggs, Caroline Hill, Emily De-Bodene, and LeeAnn Richards. The Light Weight 8 is guided by coach Jaime Rubini.
Three other Titan boats powered their way onto the medal dock to represent T.C. Williams. The T.C. boys’ light weight boat rowed two strong races, winning its heat in the morning and battling with McLean throughout the 1,500-meter course for the final. The Lightweights captured the silver medal, crossing the finish line a mere 2 seconds behind McLean, with a time of 4:38.3. Members include Addison Guynn, Drew Jones, Peter Laboy, Stefanos Psaltis-Ivanis, Alexander Psaltis-Ivanis, Asher Elkins, Callum Jaffe, Sarin Suvanasai and coxswain Brianna Zuckerman.
The T.C. girls’ second 8 also put in an outstanding performance in a highly competitive category, capturing the silver medal for T.C. for a second year. The boat dominated its heat, rowed a powerful final race, and sprinted to the finish, arriving only 4 seconds behind National Cathedral School. Members of the second 8 include Sadie Frymire (coxswain), Anissa Ashraf, Giulia Pastore, Lynn Stevens, Lily Warden, Hannah Posson, Alyssa Forbes, Lauren Kelly, and Harper Jensen. The coach for the Second 8 is Gracie Barbara.
The T.C. boys’ second 4 also rowed two strong races, winning its heat in the morning and battling with McLean and South County all the way to the end. The boat captured a bronze medal, which allowed its rowers to represent T.C. at the medal dock. Members include Kyle Imbach, Perry Connor, Gareth Markel, Sam Schneider, and Priya Vohra (coxswain). It is coached by Spencer Allin.
The girls’ junior 8, which has only been rowing as a team for the last two weeks, demonstrated that T.C. Crew has strong talent rising in its program. The boat won its heat, beating second place West Potomac by almost 9 seconds and just missing a medal, with a strong fourth place finish.
The T.C. Crew Team’s performance this past Saturday caps a successful two week run for the Titans, during which T.C. rowers competed in Virginia championship regattas for both the Upper and Lower Boats. It captured 11 medals along the way – four state championships, five silver medals, and two bronze medals.
Next up for the T.C. Williams crew team is the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia this weekend. A two-day competition, Stotesbury is the oldest and largest high school regatta in the United States.