Press Release: 

This past week in Sarasota, Florida, Westport’s own Saugatuck Rowing Club competed at the USRowing annual Youth National Championship. Continuing a long tradition of gold medals on the women’s team, the U17 4+, comprised of (Above: L-R) Maddie Speller, Anna Cuesta, Hannah Makmale, Ella Hecker, and Madeline Casano, defended their national title. The category was also won by the Saugatuck women last year. 

Additionally, the U17 8+: (L to R) Coach Greg Harvie, Rosie Lundberg, Victoria Bazarko, Claudia Chadwick, Alexandra Cowan, Maia Freeman, Leighton Davis, Mia Kirkorsky, Phoebe Bryan and Charlotte Seymour took bronze in their category. Also on the women’s team, the first and second varsity eights took seventh and eighth in the nation respectively.

The women's U16 8+ came twelfth. The girls are coached by Mike O’Hara and his staff: Greg Harvie, Amra Sabovic, and Casey Fuller. Head Coach O’Hara said of the team, “We're extremely proud of how our teams battled all season.  They performed so well in Sarasota and really solidified a foundation on the type of team we will be in the near future.  It's an exciting time at Saugatuck for sure.  Our Junior Team are outstanding kids.  It's a privilege to know and coach them all.”

The SRC men’s team also had a historically exceptional season. Coached by Dave Grossman and Alex Vogt, the first varsity eight, (pictured L to R) Felipe Artia, Jesse Herman, Jack Kiely, George Bentley, Adam Pushner, Victor DiPasquale, Finn Kiely, George Karasconyi, and Gavin Marshall,  took sixth in the country; the best they have done in recent years. The men’s 2V8+ got seventh in the country.

 Other boats that competed on the men’s team include the U16 8+ (Pictured L to R: Campbell Cohen, Tommy Wright, Davis Evans, Finn Nestor, Ryan Seeliger, Tristan Andreski, Westley Dick, Dexter Chadwick, and Owen Bernheim) which took sixth, the U17 4+, seventh, and the U17 4x, seventeenth. 

Overall, this has been a great season for these hardworking young athletes, and Westport is excited to see what great things they will accomplish in the future.