After several location changes to this national event due to catastrophic flooding to our north, our first ever crew to represent the School at rowing nationals headed south to Nagambie. The girls competed over four days against 38 other top crews from all over Australia. The wind made it a tough ask for most crews, but our girls were up to the task, both mentally and physically.
Paloma, Eleanor, Zoe and Amy were coxed by Katya. After a below standard warmup, we picked up the pieces, put the nerves into the useful box and rowed our best race ever to place 4th in the initial heats. This gave us a good lane draw for the repechage which showed the girls had more to give as they rowed another personal best and gained entry to their semi-final as the fastest qualifier.
The semi was brilliant racing with three crews all within 0.5 of a second of each other after eight minutes of racing the 2000m course. The girls had a final lunge at the line to take it by a bow ball. The girls had more to prove as they rowed into 2nd place in the final in yet another personal best time. Congratulations to our crew who were fantastic ambassadors for Orana, both on and off the water.
Thanks also to Pauline for travelling and Nina and Amelia for assisting with our preparation to make it all possible.
