Conestoga High School senior Laura Alcorn was supposed to graduate with her class back home in Pennsylvania Tuesday night, but rain forced a postponement until Wednesday. That didn’t work out because Alorn had to be on a plane to Sarasota, Fla., and Nathan Benderson Park.
When it came to being on time to compete in the 2017 Youth National Championships with the other girls she has been rowing with in a quad for Conestoga Crew this season, it was an easy decision.
It was a choice between a ceremony and a last chance to race in a national championship - a final time to compete and celebrate the end of her junior career before heading to the University of Miami and collegiate rowing.
"It's kind of bittersweet," Alcorn said yesterday, standing outside a tent on the course on the venue Thursday night wearing her cap and gown and waiting to participate in the USRowing graduation ceremony, held just for those seniors who chose a chance at a national championship over their hometown, high school event.
"It's nice that we have the opportunity to recognize our graduation, recognize our senior year, that it is coming to an end," Alcorn said. "I'm happy because it's an honor to row here and it's an honor to row against the other amazing athletes who are here."
Friday morning, Alcorn will be one of 380 crews from 154 teams from both club teams and high schools that will begin the three-day event with a time trial in the morning and then semifinals in the afternoon.
The regatta will run through Sunday and by the time it ends, 18 national championships will be awarded.
For some, it will be their first chance at racing for a national championship. For others, like Alcorn, it will be a final time, and it comes with a mix of emotion. "I rowed here two years ago," she said. "We had a senior in the quad then and I saw what she went through, she was feeling what I am now.
"Definitely, there are mixed emotions. I'm excited to get to racing, that's my favorite part of the sport, competing against other athletes. I'm a little nervous, but pre-race race nerves are always good, and a I'm little sad because this is my last high school race," she said.
"But I know all of the girls, myself included, will give it our all - shoot for the moon and aim for the stars."
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