There is nothing quite like a scholastic regatta to invigorate passion for the sport. The parent participation is staggering and heartwarming. Cowbells, team chants and barbecues all speak to the family commitment, and at the Scholastic Rowing Association Nationals May 25-26, it was present at event tents and on sunny/dusty hillsides. As parents pressed their lawn chairs in every inch of shaded real estate on this hot weekend, you had to wonder if the close quarters negated relief from the sun, but at least they didn't have to shout to talk about their favorite rower.

Some of the crews that dominated at Stotesbury the week prior were also ready to demonstrate what earned them hardware in Philadelphia, but Nationals has a way of flushing out the opposition and as racing closed for the day Saturday there was reprise and surprise in the Varsity 8s.

Thomas Jefferson Colonials repeated its Stotes performance by winning by almost the same margin in the Men's Varsity 8. At Stotes they won by 2.3 seconds over Winter Park, at Scholastic Nationals the gold was theirs with a 2.2 second victory over Winter Park again. The bronze went to Bonner, who upped their standings and improved their time by more than 10 seconds from their Stotes sixth place finish to a third at Nationals, just one second behind Winter Park. Looks like they got some rest during the week and wanted a medal, as the green rowed well and were determined. In the 2Vs, Winter Park and Thomas Jefferson exchanged spots on the podium; match-ups will continue to be interesting with these teams.

A Trevian may not be a familiar mascot to rowing fans, but by the end of the weekend, spectators heard the New Trier High School (AKA the Trevians) in the lead on several occasions. Legendary horse racing announcer Marshall Cassidy, returning for a stint as a rowing commentator, called the New Trier teams winning by more than a neck in the Women's Varsity 8s as well as Men's and Women's Freshman 8s. In the Varsity 8 race, Bishop Eustace, who won the Stotesbury Cup last weekend, never lined up for finals. It would have been a close match-up. The Trevians had the fastest 8 time of the day with a 4:59 in the heats; Eustace had a 5:00. Unfortunately seven seat of the Eustace Crew was too sick to row, and that tight margin was not tested head-to head. Bishop Eustace head Coach Rob Seiger wants his crews to be ready for their trip to Henley in a couple weeks, but both coaches expressed regrets for not getting to see these two crews bring out the best in each other.

The New Trier freshman teams offered an exciting glimpse at the future of their program. Both crews won by 4 seconds over their closest opponents. The women won over the Saratoga Crew coached by Chris Chase; the men won over the deep Winter Park program. The 2V from NTHS earned silver to Thomas Jefferson women, impressive quality from such a young crew. Head coach Rose Marchuk says there are "lots of good things on the horizon" for her young team. She may also add that they have success already in their history. At Midwest Scholastic Championships May 12-13, 5 out of 6 of their crews won gold; making the team the overall points champions at the regatta. Marchuk was exuberant speaking of the success of her crews in such a short timeline at New Trier where they are a club team. Only five years of the team's existence and three at Scholastic Nationals, this is their best showing by far. She was a Wisco gal herself in the early 80's - in some good company there with some of USRowing's Women's team coming from within her boat.

Her Varsity 8 boat will be the team to watch for next Nationals. Only 2 are seniors, and 4 are legitimate lightweights. “They are just strong for their size” she beams. If they can muster that much power young and lean, jus think how they will fare when they have another year and more strength to draw from?

Crews that stood out in the sculling categories last year fortified their positions as some of the best again in 2007. Conestoga Women's scullers took both the Junior Quad and the Senior Quad by 7 seconds and 8 seconds respectively. They did so by just plain rowing cleaner than their opponents, but Springside School certainly delivered some quality scullers to the Cooper River Course as well. Malvern Prep did the double gold in the same categories for Men, winning by tighter margins but ending up on the top of it this year. (Last year row2k reported the result of their close junior quad race when they earned a bronze behind Denis Morris and Haverford.)

In the Men's single, Austin Meyer from Shaker High School near Albany, New York made a definitive win over his Upstate New York opponent Elihu Reynolds of Queensbury, who trains with Saratoga High School on Saratoga Lake. They met in New York State Scholastic Championships on May 12 with a 1 second margin, again on May 19 when Meyer was ahead by 2 seconds at Stotesbury and third place to Reynolds' fourth. At Scholastics, it was 3 seconds. Interesting pattern for the pair!

The Scholastic Nationals came to a hot and dusty close at Cooper River Park Saturday, right on schedule. It was a pleasant weather reversal for the regatta, anyone remember the muddy banks of Saratoga Lake last year?

On to next year!