Rowing Team Wrap-Up

The Bishop O'Connell rowing team had a short but successful spring season on the water. Despite challenging COVID restrictions at the Thompson Boat Center, practices continued and both varsity and novice rowers showed commitment to their sport. The team was able to compete in two regattas this spring season, the TBC Tussle and the Washington-area WMIRA championships. 

TBC Tussle - O'Connell rowing took to the Georgetown waterfront on April 24 for the first annual TBC Tussle with teams from Wilson, National Cathedral School, St. John's, Bishop Ireton, McLean High School, and St Albans. Overall, the Knights showed depth in the line-ups, placing in all events for our first regatta of 2021:

• Girls First Varsity 4+ (3^rd Place) - Sophia Savage, Vicky Phan, Stella Smith, Annie Garner and Becky Robby (cox) 
• Girls Second Varsity 4+ (3^rd Place) - Iris White, Ceci Yantis, Shannon Herrity, Claire Babke and Maddie C (cox)
• Girls Third Varsity 4+ (2^nd Place) - Cathy Kim, Olivia Stewart, Liza Koach, Maddy and Becky Robby (cox)
• Boys First Varsity 4+ (3^rd Place) – Luke Snyder, Sean Madden, Joe Kennedy, Michael Bailey and Jack Norman (cox)
• Boys Second Varsity 4+ (2^nd Place) Seamus Madden, Andrew Murphy, Ryan Boniface, John Bartholme and Brodie Parsons (cox)  
• Boys Novice/Freshman 4+ (1^st Place) - Thomas Oudkirk, Grayson Kidwell, Joseph Shumaker, Severyn Parsons and Brodie Parsons (cox) 
• Boys Freshman 8+ (3^rd Place) – Severyn Parsons, Grayson Kidwell, Max Trible, Zach Babke, Diego Rodriguez, Lee Barch, William Ho, Luciano Lepore and Connor Love (cox)

WMIRA Championships – On Sunday May 9, O'Connell rowers headed to the Occoquan race course at Sandy Run Regional Park for the 13th annual Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA) Championships. The varsity teams took home medals in each of their five events, with the girls' teams earning trophies for the First Varsity 4+ win and most team points. In addition, both the boys' and girls' First Varsity 4+ qualified for the National Championships (however, due to COVID travel restrictions the boats will not be attending):

• Girls First Varsity 4+ (1^st Place - John Beebe Cup) –Sophia Savage, Vicky Phan, Lynn Loftus, Annie Garner and Becky Roby (cox)
• Girls Second Varsity 4+ (1^st Place) – Sophia Savage, Stella Smith, Olivia Stewart, Cathy Kim and  Becky Roby (cox)
• Girls Third Varsity 4+ (1^st Place) - Sophia Savage, Stella Smith, Olivia Stewart, Cathy Kim, and Becky Roby (cox)
• Girls Novice 4+ (2^nd Place) - Maggie Kelley, Jillian Kannar, Mia Senzano,  Julia Latessa, and Madison Cervenak (cox)
• Boys First Varsity 4+ (2^nd Place) - Luke Snyder, Sean Madden, Joe Kennedy, Michael Bailey and Jack Norman (cox)
• Boys Second Varsity 4+ (3^rd Place) - Seamus Madden, Andrew Murphy, Ryan Boniface, John Bartholme  and Kevin Carchia (cox)
• Boys Novice 4+ A (2^nd Place) - Thomas Oudkirk, Joseph Shumaker, Grayson Kidwell, Severyn Parsons, and Brodie Parsons (cox)

Prior to getting back on the water this spring, the team competed in two "virtual" regattas, as well: the Shamrock Row and the San Diego Crew Classic. These regattas were held on campus on the rowing machines in preparation for a return to on-the-water rowing. 

"Senior Night" Row - On May 12 the team hosted a special "Senior Night Row" on the Georgetown Waterfront, where seniors took their last trip up the river as an O'Connell team member. Head of School, Mr. Bill Crittenberger, was on hand to present flowers and well wishes to the senior rowers and their families. Congratulations to Sean Madden, Jack Norman, Luke Snyder, Annie Garner, Vicky Phan and Lynn Loftus!