FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA – The Ocean City High School rowing team was invited to Fairfax County, Va., to compete at the Walter Mess Regatta March 30. The Raider crews won all three eights events they entered.
The first win came from the boys junior 8 in their opening heat in 5:40.2 over second-place Robinson High School (Virginia). In the final they took gold in 4:35.2 over second-place West Springfield High School (Virginia). The crew included William Mench, William Ellis, Gavin Tomaselli, Michael Wolosin, Phineas Costal, Chase Cole, Aaron Young, Luke Tjoumakaris, Jake Tracy and Joseph Majowicz
The girls boats entered in three events that went straight finals with the women’s varsity 4 starting off the day with a fifth place finish in a time of 6:32.3. The Raider first 8 and second 8 were matched against Jackson and Reed High School’s (Washington, D.C.) first and second 8, last year’s bronze and silver medalists, respectively, at the prestigious Stotesbury Cup Regatta.
The OCHS second 8 won by 5 seconds in 5:25.0 over second-place Jackson and Reed. The crew included Reese Hemberger, Marissa Trostle, Reese Powell, Callie Bellwoar, Ava Ruh, Addison Guest, Romi Yakita, Ava Ryan and Aubrey Schlembach.
The Raiders’ first 8 fought a back and forth battle with Jackson and Reed all the way but won with almost 4 seconds separating them with a time of 5:10.9. The first 8 crew included Kira Morjakovs, Adison Conti, Jada Smith, Marina Zappone, Lauren Shaw, Margot Swift, Victoria Sakhno, Julia Gray and Kailyn Kelly.