Team Detail
Maroon Wins Two Bronze Medals in Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships
Forty-seven schools from throughout Virginia competed in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships. Episcopal’s two fours put together their best performance of the season with each boat placing 3rd to receive bronze medals.
Racing against 16 crews, the junior four, Isabelle Bechtel ‘20, Reid Jamieson ‘20, Gardiner McGuire ‘19, and Amelia Stacey ‘19, won their heat to move into the grand final. In the heat, coxswain Arden Faires ‘19 kept her crew relaxed as they entered the final 250 meters of the race. The swing of the boat was impressive and the power application of each stroke was the best of the season.
In the final, the crews from Oakton and Great Bridge jumped out to a lead, but Episcopal kept pace during the first half of the race. The crew called their devastating “Power 20” earlier in the race, which distanced them from the trailing three boats. As the boat entered the last 500 meters, the four recommitted to the goal of rowing effectively and keeping their attention internal. The best defense in rowing is a good offense (make your own boat go faster). Entering the sprint, Oakton and Great Bridge had moved ahead, but rowing at 38 strokes per minute, Episcopal finished 3.2 seconds ahead of Granby to claim a position on the awards dock and a bronze medal.
In the 1st Varsity Four heat, Episcopal found themselves in a battle with West Potomac, who had bested them two weeks ago at the Charlie Butt regatta. EHS was able to hold off all the other crews while under stroking their competitors by 3 strokes per minute. The rhythm looked effortless, yet the power and speed were evident as their crossed the finish in first place.
Entering the final, Gray Shiverick ‘19, Juliet Faris ‘19, Sidney Lewis ‘19, Avery Faires '18, and Sabrina Teope ‘18, focused on the getting off the start platform with the frontrunner, Langley HS. At the 500-meter mark, Langley and Stone Bridge had built a slight lead over the trailing four crews. Episcopal was again under stroking the other crews from West Potomac, West Springfield, and Westfield. With the tougher competition in the finals, EHS was going to have to raise the stroke rating and more importantly, their boat speed. At the 750-meter mark, the boat took a “Commitment 20” and they began to pick off boats. With approximately 400 meters to go, Episcopal surged into third place, while closing the gap on the lead two crews. At the finish line, Episcopal placed third, 7.9 seconds behind Langley, earning another set of bronze medals.
| Seat | 1st Four | Junior Four |
| 1 | Avery Faires | Amelia Stacey |
| 2 | Sidney Lewis | Gardiner McGuire |
| 3 | Juliet Faris | Reid Jamieson |
| 4 | Gray Shiverick | Isabelle Bechtel |
| C | Sabrina Teope | Arden Faires |
