ACT based rowers have progressed closer to Olympic selection following the NSW State Rowing Championships at Penrith on the weekend. Kathryn Ross of ANU with her doubles partner Gavin Bellis of Victoria are likely members of the Para Olympic team, lightweight Hannah Every-Hall is also potentially heading to the Olympics again, and the surprise packet is Luke Letcher who has been drafted into the elite Men’s sweep oared squad. Cara Grzeskowiak had a good regatta but is rowing with an injury, and opted out of the Olympic selections.
Among the ACT individuals and club crews, a highlight was the win of Caleb Antill (ANU) in the Mens Under 23 Champion Single just ahead of his training partner Tyron Boorman of Black Mountain. The close racing between these two scullers and their inter-state rivals indicate that the next generation of Olympic scullers are pushing each other very hard. The close racing in this group will continue until the national regatta in mid March, when several of them might be selected part of an Australian under 23 team.
The potential ACT state lightweight four of Tom Perry, Callum McKenzie, Francis Snelgar and Mack Wilcox from ANU and Canberra rowing clubs won the elite lightweight fours, and it is great to see the ACT competing with the best in Australian lightweight rowing.
Wins to youngsters from Radford (Annie Creer in the under 17 single) and the Canberra Girls Grammar under 16 quad were also highlights for their respective school programs. Canberra Rowing Club youngsters Gavin Southerland and Connor McCormack had a win in the under 21 Lightweight double.
All of the ACT schools and clubs who participated had medalists in various events, with many very close results after hard racing in hot and humid conditions. All of these crews are to be commended on their participation and success.