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It's not quite your typical summer vacation.
Wednesday, Maritime Rowing coach Yan Vengerovskiy and six rowers left for Prague, Czech Republic, to represent the United States in the 2010 World Rowing Junior Championships.
Charlie Campbell, Thomas Stolarski, Parker Lange and Thacher Dodge will be competing in a straight four (no coxswain) against teams from the Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Germany, Romania and Russia. The group said their goal is a top 10 overall finish.
In the US Rowing Youth National Championships in June, Stolarski and teammate Jonathan Rosow rowed to a fourth place finish in the men's double category. Campbell came in sixth men's single final, an event won by his brother, Andrew, who will also be competing in Prague. Andrew will again be racing in the men's single category and, after winning the final at nationals by six seconds, is a legitimate threat to win the gold medal. "[Andrew Campbell] is one of the most dedicated athletes that we've ever had in our program," Vengerovskiy said.
For his part, Campbell , a senior at New Canaan High School, is downplaying any expectations.
"You can't go in saying you're going to get a specific number," he said. "You prepare a product, prepare yourself and you race to your fullest ability. Whatever happens happens. You can't go in with too many expectations or you're just going to kill yourself."
Also competing from Maritime Rowing will be Marianne Hoeft, who will be racing in the U.S. women's eight, one of the most competitive categories on the schedule.
Stolarski admitted that nerves would be a factor when they first put their boat in the water in Prague. "I know once we get on that course to practice, I'll just be super nervous," he said. "I'm getting chills now talking about it."
Racing in Prague begins Thursday, Aug. 5 and concludes with the finals on Sunday, Aug. 8.
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