New Canaan High School Crew cemented its solid reputation on the regatta circuit with a remarkable showing at the US Rowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida June 12-14.
Unprecedented in the history of the club, New Canaan crew, coached by Maritime Rowing in Norwalk, advanced two boats to compete in the same finals event. NCHS Crew members Andrew Langalis, David Orner, Aidan Bridwell and Colt Dewolf walked away with the gold medal in the Men’s Quad event while the club’s B Quad boat made up of Paul Gelhaus, John Norton, Dan Cone and Riley Marsh finished with a respectable fifth place.
The women’s team comprised of Claire Campbell, Maggie Owen, Gabriela Kulesz and Caroline Murphy continued its successful run with a second place finish in the Women’s Quad event.
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Rounding out the team’s stellar exhibition was Luca Furst and Phillip MacNeal who handily represented the Men’s Lightweight 2X effort by scoring a bronze medal.
“The National Championships can be a grueling experience with our kids having to compete in multiple heats to secure a spot in the finals,” commented men’s varsity coach and Maritime Rowing Club proprietor Yan Vengerovskiy. “We are especially proud to have had two boats competing in the same finals event on a national scale --- a first, and a real credit to the kids’ focus and determination.”
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About New Canaan High School Crew: New Canaan crew was organized in 1997. The program is run under the guidance of Maritime Rowing Club in Norwalk and has expanded from thirteen rowers to over 110 from New Canaan High School, Darien High School, King School in Stamford, Joel Barlow School in Redding and several other schools in the area and as far away as New Haven. Rowers from the program compete regionally, nationally and internationally on the U.S. Junior National Team and have been medal winners on at all levels. The team has garnered multiple national championships over the last four years as well as countless regional and state championships.
About Maritime Rowing Club: Maritime Rowing Club is home to the New Canaan High School crew team. The organization is dedicated to competitive and recreational rowing for all ages and abilities. Based on the scenic Norwalk River, rowing both sweep and sculling shells, Maritime is a team-oriented rowing club where all members work together to provide an enjoyable rowing experience for all. Since 1996, Maritime Rowing Club has offered rowing classes for all ages and skill levels from Middle School to Learn-to-Row to Masters competitive racing.
For more information, contact Celeste Marsh at paintedbread@yahoo.com.
