High School Athletes Qualify for USRowing 2017 Youth National Championships

The Norwalk River Rowing Association (NRRA) recently qualified in 6 events for the prestigious USRowing 2017 Youth National Championships to be held June 9-11th in Sarasota, FL. Athletes in these events qualified by posting top 3 finishes at the USRowing Youth Northeast Regionals held in Worcester, MA, May 20-21. In addition to qualifying for the premier junior rowing event in the US, NRRA captured three gold, four silver and four bronze medals at the Northeast Regionals.

The 2017 Youth National Championships in Sarasota will bring together 1,500 athletes from some 150 teams – all vying for national titles in 18 boat classes. Representing NRRA at the Youth Nationals will be Olivia Bernadini, Mackenzie Cote, Adam Harley, Mackenzie Holmgren, Liam Jenkins, Kevin Lenihan, Oliver Peacock, Ethan Reichgut, Jamie Trentos from Wilton; Ben Hufnagel, Johnny Markow, Victoria Markow from Norwalk; Lorenzo Del’Innocenti from Westport; Neil “Bo” Pollio Jr. from Darien; and Ian Trostle from Pound Ridge. These qualifiers posted top 3 finishes in Men’s and Women’s Pairs and Lightweight Doubles, as well as Men’s Lightweight Doubles and Men’s Lightweight Four.

The Youth Northeast Regional Championships in Worcester, MA included approximately 2,000 athletes from over 40 teams. NRRA won Gold with first-place finishes in the Women’s lightweight single by MacKenzie Holmgren from Wilton, and the Men’s lightweight single by Ian Trostle from Pound Ridge. The club also won Gold with a first-place finish in the U17 8+ with a crew that included Adam Harley, Liam Jenkins, Alex Stepnowsky, Austin Crowel from Wilton; John Markow, Kaden Lints from Norwalk; Alex Hu from Darien; Lorenzo Del’Innocenti from Westport; and coxswain Lee McAndrews from Fairfield. NRRA also medaled in the Men’s lightweight single with Luke Briglin from Wilton, and in the Men’s 2nd Quad with Matt Rauccio, Luke Briglin and Max Schwartz from Wilton; and Christian Lawrence from Pound Ridge.

NRRA youth racing head coaches include Drew Combs for Women and Yuri Kolomiets for Men, with assistant coaching by Irina Skobreva, Stephanie Allgood, Luke Auger and Devon Brameier.

Norwalk River Rowing Association (NRRA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which promotes a lifelong passion for the sport of rowing. It is dedicated to providing wellness and competition among adult members, and athletic and educational opportunities for the youth of all surrounding communities, including Darien, Fairfield, Norwalk, Ridgefield, Stamford, Westport, Weston, and Wilton in CT, as well as Bedford, Cross River and Pound Ridge in NY. Our world-class coaching staff provides a comprehensive program of rowing courses and activities for both youth and adults of all ability and income levels, in a fun and friendly environment from our site on the Norwalk River. Visit www.NorwalkRiverRowing.org more information on the club and programs.