Three Stonington Crews Medal At CPSRA State Championships

NEW PRESTON, CT – Three Stonington crews were medaled at the Connecticut Public Schools Rowing Association (CPSRA) Championships amid near-perfect conditions on Lake Waramaug. Stonington’s Girls Novice and Boys Third Varsity boats each placed third in a busy day of racing.

“I’m proud of how our boat came together this season,” Girls Novice Coach Bruce Yarnall said in a release. “Rowing as a team earned them third place today.”

The final and most exciting race of the day was the Boys First Varsity race, in which six crews finished within seconds of one another. Stonington surged over the last 500 meters and almost took the race. (To sign up for Stonington/Mystic breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“This year, we had some of the closest races in CPSRA history,” Head Coach and Boys Varsity Coach Tyler Page said in a release. “A bow ball separated the first two crews in the Boys V1 race.”

Several races required video reviews to decide. Top spots for the Girls Third Varsity race were also separated by just seconds, with Stonington taking 4th.

Girls First Varsity placed 6th and Second Varsity 5th. Boys Second Varsity and Novice were 5th and 6th, respectively.

“We’re thrilled to have all boats make it to the finals. Of course, every crew’s goal is to medal,” Page said, “but [the competition] was a good experience for many of our young rowers. It will pay dividends in the future.”

Results from the race may affect seeding and qualification of some boats for New England Interscholastic Rowing Association (NEIRA) Championships next weekend on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Get the full results at www.row2k.com as soon as they are posted.

Images courtesy John Thornell.