Over the weekend, twenty Row New York athletes arrived in Boston for the C.R.A.S.H.-B Indoor Rowing Championships – the largest international indoor rowing event. Our competitors represented our youth, adaptive, and masters rowing teams, and we saw amazing performances across the board, with an abundance of strong 2k’s and PR’s. Two adaptive rowers, Maria Bournias and Colleen Roche, claimed the prestigious hammer (C.R.A.S.H.-B’s designated award for first place and world champion!).
For Manhattan athletes, the trip was an incredibly valuable learning experience given the high caliber of competition – which was as exciting as it was fast. Additionally, they witnessed what competing at the junior-level looks like from around the country. Manhattan varsity coach, Sasha Bailey, is looking forward to, “translating these valuable lessons to the rest of the team at practice in the weeks to come!”
Top Manhattan Varsity Results:
- Kenny Gil: 31st out of 262 athletes in the Junior Men, Heavyweight event.
- Sophia Carter: 33rd out of 136 athletes in the Junior Women, Lightweight event.
- Azra Muratovic set a personal record, a hard thing to achieve in such a highly charged atmosphere.
- The trip back to NYC on Sunday night was full of car karaoke!
Top Adaptive Results:
- Sidorela LLeshi: As her first time racing after 5 practices, Lleshi PR’d with a 15″ decrease from her last 1K test.
- Gustavo Perez, William Choe, and Mohammad Hasan: Gustavo, two-time world champion, held his own against one of his biggest competitions and received Silver. William received Bronze in his first time participating at this event. Mohammad trained hard in his first season with Row New York and finished 6th out of 7.
- Ivonne Quijada: Ivonne trained hard both at Row New York, and while on vacation, in Chile’s Club Centenario. She PR’d with a 13″ decrease.
- Maria Bournias Trunk-Arms Master Women (Age 30-39) and Colleen Roche‘s, Arms-Shoulders Master Women (Age 30-39), each received a hammer (1st place) in their categories. Maria PR’d with a 15″ decrease.
We are so proud of each of our athlete’s strong performances, and the effort and grit they put into their winter training to prepare for this competition. Congratulations rowers and coaches! It’s now time to harness our energy on the ergs and get out on the water!
