Rowers celebrate Head of the River win
March 17, 2009
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The St Joseph’s Nudgee College rowing shed was celebrating on Saturday after winning the Open 1st VIII race and finishing in their best ever position overall at Head of the River.
New Director of Rowing, Mr Christian Oneto, reports on the shed’s very successful completion to the 2009 season.
This year’s Head of the River will be remembered for many things, most particularly the dominant display that the Open 1st VIII showed. Not many 1st VIII’s have ever won by over a boat length and it is a credit to this year’s crew that they were able to win by a length and half. The crew has shown real promise week in and week out and dealt with the pressure of being favourites with real aplomb.
On Saturday, the boys had a good start but let other crews race to the bridge. As in previous races, they held their composure and took command of the race at the 1000m, leaving the field for dead over the last 500m. The crew of George Withey, Tom Amies, Ted Postal, Chris Hislop, Luke Lawn, Levi Power, Ed Hibberd, Richard White, and Theo Cox were expertly coached by Mr Gary Lynagh and Mr Graham Leddie.
In addition to the Open 1st VIII, the shed showed that they are now a force to be reckoned with in schoolboy rowing coming third overall, only 3 points behind Brisbane Grammar School. Our previous best was 6th so this is a massive improvement that all involved should be very proud of.
The Open 2nd VIII also had a commanding win at Head of the River after winning all but one race in the lead up regattas. The powerful crew consisted of Nic Redcliffe, Tom Rollinson, Zac Frank, Jack Chiarabaglio, Douglas Taylor, Matthew Kelly, Darcy Egan, John Morrissey, and George Moloney and were coached by the very experienced Mr Peer Richards and Ms Claire Juratowitch.
Continuing the winning form was the Year 10 4th Quad who showed consistent form all season and continued it with a powerful win on Saturday. The crew of Jake Schultz, Andrew Price, Andrew Coombs, Ben Hanrahan, and Eden Few were coached by a great partnership of Mr Colin Stewart and Mr Michael Hawke.
The rest of the crews showed positive performances with the Year 10 2nd and 3rd Quads claiming solid seconds and the Year 10 6ths finishing a very respectable third.
The Year 11 2nd and 3rd VIII’s and the Open 3rd VIII obtained very valuable points and should be congratulated on their seasons. The Year 11 1st VIII showed great resolve to finish 5th in a very tight race. There is plenty of potential for next year’s Open 1st VIII with the boys overcoming many obstacles this season.
The atmosphere on the day was fantastic. The support from the school was noticed and appreciated by all rowers. Open 1st VIII coach, Gary Lynagh made a very pertinent point on Saturday night, that “the Nudgee College rowing club is no longer building, it’s built”. It is therefore up to all boys to continue the legacy that the 2009 season has left us.
On a personal note, the club gave its outgoing Director of Rowing a special send off on Saturday night for all his hard work over the past three seasons. Mark Partridge brought this club from a one crew shed to a powerhouse that other schools now fear. He will be sorely missed.
I look forward to next season!
Photos courtesy of Gary Lynagh
