SATELLITE BEACH, Fla. — Space Coast Crew sent four boats to the USRowing Youth Nationals Regatta at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida. This is the first time that Space Coast Crew was able to send 31 athletes to compete in 4 different boat classes. The Youth Nationals Regatta was held over four days from June 9 through June 13 with around three thousand athletes from 181 different teams competing in various categories.

Space Coast Crew competed in the Men’s Youth Eight (8+), Men’s Youth Straight Four (4-), Men’s Under 17 Eight (8+), and Women’s Under 17 Eight (8+). All Space Coast Crew athletes and coaches have been training for this since August 2020. They trained through COVID making the best of the challenging situation. Being able to compete at this regatta allowed the team to cap off a great year and encourage larger goals for next season.

The most successful boats of the weekend for SCC were the Men’s Straight Four and the Men’s Under 17 Eight. The Men’s Straight Four was comprised of Thomas Eastwood, Aaron Li, Andy Li, and Colin Schuck. They placed 18th in the nation. This was an impressive finish considering that this lineup had to change an oarsman out when one of them was injured late in training. This was the first year that USRowing had allowed racing in this boat category. This boat is comprised of four athletes sweep rowing with no coxswain to steer or motivate. It is one of the most difficult boats to row. During their finals race, these athletes raced their hearts out and worked hard as one unit to have such a strong finish. The Men’s Under 17 Eight comprised of Austin Osborn, Jacob Marano, Joshua Ogburn, Caleb Parkerson, Lucas Da Silva, Griffin Cobb, Josh Taylor, Josh Fischer, and Coxswain Sam Jones. They placed 17th in the nation. This event is comprised of all athletes who are under the age of 16. This boat competed hard and peaked with their best race time of year.

The Men’s Youth 8+ faced the most challenging competition of the regatta going up the fastest and strongest crews in the nation. Zac Vaidic, Ryan Ste Marie, Luke Pair, Christopher Hall, Jack Mackinnon, Duke Campbell, Jack Neville, Daniel Minogue, and coxswain Sophia Troia, raced to a 28th place finish. The Women’s Under 17 Eight, comprised of Kaitlyn Jackson, Cailin Buchanan, Alexis Lapp, Caroline Hall, Caroline Scott, Emily McCormick, Elisabeth Marks, Sidney Norman, and coxswain Maggie Theodorou, finished 22nd in the nation. This was history in the making for the women of SCC being that this was the first time they have competed in this category at Nationals. They raced to their full potential and showed that the future is bright for these young athletes.

Space Coast Crew is a nonprofit rowing team open to all students in Brevard County, in 2021 they are celebrating their 25th anniversary. SCC is fortunate to row on the beautiful Banana River and have a boathouse located at Oars and Paddles Park in Indian Harbour Beach. If you’re interested in trying a learn-to-row camp or joining the team, please contact me at [email protected] or visit our website at spacecoastcrew.org.

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