Richmond, Virginia – High Point out sprinted Hurricane Matthew and a fleet of crews to earn an upset victory in the prestigious women’s youth eight-oared championships at the Head of the James regatta over the weekend.
High Point was the dark horse in the women’s youth event, having failed to complete a race yet this season. The team’s crew almost sank the previous week at the High Point Autumn Rowing Festival after a collision with another crew. Raleigh’s Triangle Rowing Club entered the Virginia boat race as the hot favorite.
With its boat repaired, High Point’s crew of coxswain Morgan Epling, stroke Junior Ognovich, Maddie Mullins, Ainsley Fox, Lindsay York, Morgan Cantrell, Margaux Blanchard, Jordan Hronich, and Charlotte Curri raced the 5,000 meter course on the James River in the fastest time of 18 minutes 46 seconds, almost 30 seconds quicker than Triangle.
Women’s Youth Eights Final
1. High Point 18 minutes 46 seconds
2. Triangle 19:15
3. Charlotte 19:37
4. Williamsburg 20:01
5. Hickory 20:20
6. High Point ‘B’ 20:33
6. River City 20:33
8. Triangle ‘B’ 20:36
9. First Colonial 21:55
10. Triangle ‘C’ 22:00
“This was a reassuring win for this squad after facing a lot of changes,” said High Point coach Gene Kininmonth after the race. Five of last year’s girls crew graduated and Kininmonth had to step in to coach both the boys and girls programs after the departure of coach Allie Davis, who had been extremely successful with the girls program.
“It is a challenge to take over a program that has been the best in the state for the past two years. The winning expectations remain but you feel the confidence and resolve among the squad tilting from one week to the next as you go through this rebuilding process. This win has helped to right the ship.”
High Point also won the boys quadruple sculls varsity boat race on Saturday. The High Point crew of William Scarpa, Charles York, Harry Cappizzi, and Govind Harish earned the victory in a close race over Beaver Creek and Charlotte in the time of 18 minutes 2 seconds. The crew will be looking to qualify for the USRowing national championships next spring.
High Point’s final win for the weekend came in the mixed middle school eights over Greensboro Crew.
