VANCOUVER ISLAND – More than 90 Bainbridge High School rowers raced on the 1500-meter course in often challenging conditions. High winds shut down all racing Saturday afternoon but races resumed early Sunday morning in calmer waters.

Bainbridge rowers earned 11 medals in 25 races at the three-day regatta.

The Bainbridge Varsity Boys showed solid performances against strong international competition, highlighted by the Varsity Boys Lightweight 4 winning a bronze medal in a close finish. The Lightweight 4 included Lars Erickson, Schuyler Westerhout, Talbot Miller, Thomas Musselwhite and coxswain Nathan Johnson.

The Varsity Boys heavyweight 4 was the third fastest U.S. crew, putting them in contention to qualify for U.S. National Championships at the Regional Regatta in three weeks. The four boat consisted of Trevor Wikstrom, Alex Derry, Walker Hauptman, Keegan Dymoke and cox Keith Carlson.

The Varsity Boys 8 also qualified for the prestigious Opening Day Regatta in Seattle for the third year in a row. The Varsity Boys 8 included Connor Teddy, Cole Sander, Gabe Schulz, Bryson Allen, Trevor Wikstrom, Walker Hauptman, Alex Derry, Keegan Dymoke and cox Keith Carlson.

The Varsity Girls also had a solid showing at the regatta, placing in five out of eight events and two close fourth-place finishes.

Four of the girls’ boats took home silver medals: the High School 8; the Varsity Lightweight 8; the Varsity B 4; and the Varsity B Lightweight 4.  Yet another, JV 4, took bronze.

The High School 8 also qualified to compete in the Opening Day Regatta.  The boat includes Elisabeth Chun, Abby Leigh, Liz Fawley, Faith Eckford-Prossor, Rosie Brown, Hannah Schneiderman, Kylie Van Aken, Justeen Komok and Natassja Haught (cox).

Many of the margins between the top crews were incredibly small.

“It’s important to have this kind of success and near-success,” said Varsity Girls Coach Chris Lane. “Now we know how close we are to our goals and what it will take to reach them. The open weight field this year for the girls is incredibly competitive. We have our work cut out for us for Regionals.”

The second-place Varsity Girls B 4+ are Liz Fawley, Mira Rosenkotz, Rosie Brown, Abby Leigh and Chrina Munn (cox).

The second-place Varsity Girls Lightweight 8+ are Tica Drury, Anneke Karreman, Jessie Sheldon, Emma Pazoff, Sam Dore, Julia Denlinger, Jemma Blazina, Kate Hathaway and Sydney Gibbs (cox).

The Varsity Girls B Lightweight 4+ who won second place are Kaylie Treskin, Anneke Karreman, Tica Drury, Mira Rosenkotz and Chrina Munn (cox).

This year’s performance at Brentwood was the best ever for Bainbridge Island Rowing’s Novice Boys. The boys medaled in three of their four events, with two of the boats posting the highest U.S. finishes.

Demonstrating extraordinary focus and teamwork, the Novice Boys A 8+ placed second in a challenging final on Saturday.

The boys prevailed despite being a mostly freshmen squad rowing against older crews in the Under 18 race. The team included Aidan Stearns, Dan Queen, Jack Carson, Konner Vander Leest, Matthew Derry, Scott Musselwhite, Will de Rubertis, Colin O’Keefe and cox Sam Bryant.

The Novice Boys 4x+ sprinted to a bronze medal on Saturday in the sculling event, garnering an early win for the team. Medal winners were Colby Hayes, Andrew Beckett, Cameron Bailey, Alex Balfour and cox Matthew Carlson.

On Sunday morning, the Novice Boys B 8+ claimed third place in a nail-biting race, finishing a tenth of a second behind Victoria City Rowing Club. Medals went to Cameron Bailey, Colby Hayes, Jack Carson, Konner Vander Leest, Matthew Derry, Scott Musselwhite, Will de Rubertis, Colin O’Keefe and cox Matthew Carlson.

The Novice Girls 4+ rowed to a first-place finish, beating out 11 U.S. and Canadian teams in the final.

The boat’s cox box, used to amplify the cox’s voice so rowers can hear their commands, broke as they launched. Undeterred, cox Sophie Bodlovich instead yelled commands throughout the race, leading them to the win but with almost no voice afterwards. The girls in the boat were Alexina Boudreaux-Allen, Kayla Buchmeier, Erin McGee, Carly Lant and Bodlovich.

The U16 Novice Girls 8+ filled with fire and determination — after a sudden disqualification of their U18 8+ a few days before – finished their time trial with a final time of 5:40.46. They won silver, placing right behind Vashon. This race showed the closest margins between Bainbridge and Vashon yet this season.

Girls in the Bainbridge boat were Jade Greer, Ruth Young, Elsa Derrickson, Julia Sordello, Delaney Erickson, Amalie Millerd, Sophie Townsend, Grace Nikunen and cox Caitlin Deavy.

Although Bainbridge Island Rowing is primarily a sweep program, the U16 Novice Girls 4x entered a sculling race and fought their way into the finals. Rowers included Ruth Young, Jade Greer, Julia Sordello, Elsa Derrickson and cox Caitlin Deavy.

According to Varsity Boys Coach Bruce Beall, Bainbridge Island Rowing placed eighth out of 38 teams, which is “amazing for a single high school team.”

Approximately 1,600 rowers and coaches from the U.S. and British Columbia traveled to Brentwood College School in scenic Mill Bay for the prestigious junior regatta, now in its 44th year.

“We have about three weeks until Regionals and will spend it trying to further tune and accelerate our boat speeds,” said Head Coach Tim Goss.