Local Youth Rowing Team Invited to National Championships

Annapolis, MD: The 61 athletes that make up the Annapolis Junior Rowing team are spending this week celebrating the accomplishments of their recent spring rowing season. However, for six team members, the training continues as they prepare for the 2022 USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, FL.

This past weekend the team of student athletes, coaches and parents loaded into cars and buses for the three hour trip north to Lake Mercer in West Windsor, N.J. site of the 2022 USRowing Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships.

All athletes competed in time trials on Saturday, with many younger members of the team competing in their first championship race. Only the seven fastest teams in each event are passed through to the finals on Sunday. Saturday ended with Annapolis Junior Rowing (AJR) filling 43 seats for the final races on Sunday.

Facing world class competition, the women's team is advancing sculler Ella Aherne (Severn School) who placed fourth in the second race of the day. By the early afternoon Coxswain Hunter Labandeira (South River HS) also led the four members of the under 17 four man boat to second place and a Silver Medal. Rowing for AJR were Lex Lauer (Broadneck), Max Henceroth (Broadneck), Santi Cingolari (Severna Park HS) and Ethan Cabucana (Severna Park HS). Only the top 4 teams in each event advance to the finals in Florida.

Steve Hall, Head Men’s Coach had this to say: “These young Under 17 rowers carry themselves way over their years. They have advanced quickly in strength and technique in a very tough sport and that’s why they will now represent AJR and Mid-Atlantic Rowers at the prestigious Youth Nationals in Sarasota. We are all very proud of them and will be cheering them on as they compete on a national scale.”

AJR's Head Coach, Bridget Fitzpatrick also added: "Mid-Atlantic Championships was a great step forward for AJR. At the beginning of the season, we were not part of any conversation, we simply existed as a crew showing up and racing down the course. This past weekend proved that AJR is now a part of the competitive conversation pushing 7 of our 13 entries into the Sunday finals! Training for our spring races starts in the fall, goes through winter training, and executed in the spring. The mindset of a competitor starts Day 1. Supportive of our whole program, competitive within our program and inclusive to all. These are items we will take from this season an apply for seasons to come."