Closing the Gap: Results from Secret City
Montgomery Bell Academy Rowing competed in it's second regatta to date since the start of the program 8 weeks ago. Montgomery Bell Academy competed once again under the name "Unaffiliated" in the Secret City Head Race. The 5000 meter course was located on the Clinch River in Oak Ridge Tennessee. The regatta hosted 30 clubs from 9 states and 19 cities within the United States. In total, there were 304 event entries that competed throughout the day. With two regattas complete every one of the 17 members of the MBA Rowing team have officially raced.
The day started chilly with constant rain until about mid-day. The first boat to compete for MBA was the Men's Youth Novice 4+ with Rob Edwards as coxswain, Matt Bracy in stroke seat, Thompson Barr in three seat, Oliver Oldacre in two seat and Joseph Lowe in bow seat. The boat raced at 10:30am EST in Event #33. The boat competed against 10 other boats, which included two McCallie boats, three Charlotte Youth Rowing boats, two Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club boats, two Atomic Rowing boats and one St. Andrew Rowing Club boat. This was the second time that MBA competed against McCallie, Atomic and St. Andrew and the first time they competed against Charlotte and Cincinnati. The boat finished 7th out of 11with a time of 22:20 beating 4 boats and closing the gap McCallie significantly. The McCallie A boat finished with a 0:56 second lead over MBA. The 4 man boat finished 1:21 closer to the McCallie A boat and 1:09 closer to the McCallie B boat then in Chattanooga 3 weeks ago. "It is very exciting to see such a significant gain in 3 weeks. This boat has the fitness to perform very well and if this boat can get it's timing down it will fly." Coach Sherwood stated. This boat hits the water in the same line-up next week in preparation for the The Hooch on November 7th.
The second boat to compete was the MYN8+ with Mark Lowe as coxswain, Rob Higham in stroke seat, Lewis Armistead in 7 seat, Gray Curtis in 6 seat, Chris Habermann in 5 seat, Corbin Williams in 4 seat, Hoke Smith in 3 seat, Aaron Ardisson in 2 seat and Paul Moore in bow seat. The boat raced at 3:30pm EST in Event #78. The boat competed against 11 other boats, which included three McCallie boats, two St. Andrew Rowing Club boats, two Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club boats, and one each from Atomic Rowing Club, Chattanooga Rowing, Charlotte Youth Rowing and East Tennessee Rowing. The boat finished 8th of 12 with a finishing time of 20:34.7 beating 4 boats and closing the gaps on McCallie A B & C, Chattanooga and Atomic. Most notably beating the McCallie B boat. The eight man boat made a minute or more gain on McCallie A & B, Charlotte and Atomic boats as well as 0:43 second gain on the McCallie C boat. This boat preformed technically very well. "The boat was sent out with a race plan to row together and they most definitely met their goal. I am very proud of them." Coach Husted stated. "The eight boat rowed very well, it's the best rowing by any boat we have seen thus far at MBA." Coach Sherwood stated.
"Once again we are very proud of the guys for their performance both on and off the water this weekend. We have a lot of work to do this coming week in practice to keep moving in this direction. We are also extremely grateful for all of the support from the athletes parents we couldn't do it without them." Coach Sherwood stated.
Montgomery Bell Academy is set to compete in it's Championship regatta of the season next weekend at the Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga.
