Western Albemarle Leads the Way at Scholastic Nationals

Sixty-six sculling teams, including Western Albemarle High School, qualified to send boats to the Scholastic Rowing Association Nationals in Camden, N.J. this weekend, May 27 – 28. WAHS qualified seven boats and four of them went on to the finals.  Of the qualifying programs, only one other tied WAHS’ overall team performance as it brought back 2 gold and 2 silver medals; the team’s best performance ever.

WAHS junior varsity rowers demonstrated some impressive prowess, accounting for two gold and one silver medal.  Both the girls (Lydia Pelton and Laney Young) and boys (Jack Mehnert and Ryan kennedy) doubles won gold in classic racing style; they dominated their competition at the start and never gave up the lead. The girls junior quad was seeded fifth in the final, having rowed slower than four other boats, but their determination and drive moved them steadily down the course to finish in second place.  The quad’s lineup, Greta Slaats, Cate Manclark, Bryanna Palmer, and Cal Dagner included two sophomores, Cate and Bryanna.

WAHS senior boys double (Lucas Farmer and Will Donovan) rowed one of their best races to a silver medal as they had done at Stotesbury the week before, in each case just behind Niskayuna’s double which was rowed by Will’s roommate for next year at Northeastern!