SoNo Rowers Start Season Strong

Athletes from SoNo Rowing have raced at the Greenwich Invitational, Mercer Lake Sculling Championships and the National Selection Regatta already this season. They have walked away from each with notable wins and great experiences.

At the Greenwich Invitational, a race that specializes in dual racing, SoNo won three races. The Boys Varsity 4x won with Matthew Huggins and Noah Arthurs of Westport and Wilton’s Gabe Marsan and Logan Forsyth. The Girls Lightweight 4x of Robin Ritchey, Victoria Thorogood, Jenna Lee and Mary-Beth Greer, all of Wilton, and Mens Lightweight 4+ with Wilton’s Carson West, Westport’s Tim Mapley, Monroe’s, Andrew Richmond and Wilton’s Billy Curley, also won their races. In these events, SoNo Rowing dueled against Greenwich Crew and won handily over one of the largest programs in the region. Billed as a learning regatta, the Greenwich Invitational gave the team a taste of winning as well as race mentality.

“This was my first race and to be able to see how I compare to other crews from our area is really helpful,” said rower Robin Ritchey. “I have been working really hard and to see it coming together is great.”

The racing did not stop in Greenwich as the SoNo Rowing team raced next at the Mercer Lake Sculling Championships. SoNo Rowing took home medals in all races contested. The men's lightweight double of Carson West and Tim Mapley put in a hard-fought race to finish third. In the women’s 2x race, Mary Willis and Natalie Clark of Wilton raced to a silver only seconds behind the leader. The men's lightweight 4x race was canceled because of weather conditions.

“Considering that I've only been racing for less than two seasons – to already be able to come to a large race like Mercer and get a medal is amazing,” Clark said. “Being able to row with Mary (doubles partner) has really helped me develop as a racer.”

The racing did not stop there for the SoNo Rowing team. Granted special permission by USRowing, the governing body of the sport, SoNo Rowing was represented by four athletes at the National Selection Regatta on Mercer Lake in New Jersey. A race normally open to Senior National Team and Olympic hopefuls, SoNo Rowing was allowed to race two lightweight pairs in the regatta. Racing across many days, the pair of Andrew Richmond and Billy Curley was victorious against the pairing of Tim Kile and Carson West in the final.

“Being able to spend a few days around the National Team-caliber athletes was eye-opening,” West said. “Witnessing firsthand how the athletes prepare, handle boats, conduct themselves on the water really helps put into perspective what is needed to get to the next level.”

“I am excited to see the direction in which SoNo Rowing is progressing,” said head coach and program director Chris Wyant. “Nobody understands how hard SoNo Rowers work other than the athletes themselves. They deserve everything they are accomplishing.”

The racing continues for SoNo Rowing at the Cooper Cup in New Jersey, Northeast Regionals in Massachusetts and at the Junior National Team Time Trials.

Do you have information about your club's team? Send information and a picture to trenner@mainstreetconnect.us.

Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.