Area rowers shine at Head of the Charles Regatta

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, November 2, 2018 | 8:30 PM

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Two Quaker Valley students shined recently in the world’s largest two-day rowing event.

Juniors Ben Kimmy and Ben Farnan, both members of the Three Rivers Junior Rowing team on Washington’s Landing, placed eighth in a men’s youth coxed quad at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Mass.

The boat, one of 40, covered the three-mile course on the Charles River in 18 minutes, 42.980 seconds.

Fox Chapel senior Daniel Andrud, Pittsburgh SciTech senior Sam Lieberman and Allderdice senior coxswain Breanna Burns also competed.

Three Rivers Junior Rowing coach Matt Grau said it was the team’s best showing ever in a men’s event at the regatta.

“It showed the ability of our guys to be nationally competitive,” he said.

Kimmy, in only his second season as a rower, was honored to qualify.

“I was a little concerned about rowing on such a challenging course,” he said. “A few years ago, I was able to watch my sister (Tessa, a 2016 gold medalist) race.

“I am still a little new to sculling and was a little worried about how we would maneuver around all the challenges ahead of us.”

Farnan looks at the bigger picture.

“Our eyes are always focused on the spring (to regional and national championships),” he said. “We must continue to work hard, hopefully making next year’s boat competitive, too.”

On the women’s side, Quaker Valley senior Kendyll Petronick placed 20th of 84 in a youth four (20:03.068) with Oakland Catholic senior Julia Lorenzini, Avonworth senior Julia Casey and Shady Side Academy senior Erin Gramley, plus Ellis sophomore Cara Burns.

“Placing in the top 20 is a challenge,” Petronick said. “The environment and the energy (are) different than anything else.

“I was able to compete last year in an (eight). It was so much fun being able to go back and race again.”

Sewickley Academy graduate and Georgetown sophomore Mia Tsudis stroked the Hoya lightweight eights (18:25.512) to fourth place of nine.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Quaker Valley