The Men’s Youth Lightweight Four from St. Andrew Rowing Club in Roswell, GA recently placed 6th in the nation at the US Rowing Youth National Championships held June 9-11 in Sarasota, Florida. The championships are the premier junior rowing event in the United States, and draw approximately 1500 athletes from over 150 teams from across the country.
The boat qualified for Nationals with a second place finish at US Rowing Southeast Regionals in May. To earn a spot in the Grand “A” Finals, where the top boats compete, the boat first successfully raced in time trials followed by an impressive third place finish in a particularly close race in semi-finals. The St. Andrew boat was the only boat in the Atlanta area to make it to Grand Finals this year. St. Andrew Rowing Club paid tribute to its Atlanta area home through custom designed uniforms featuring the Atlanta skyline.
St. Andrew’s Lightweight Four was comprised of Jerod Bayly (Sequoyah High School), Nick Patterson (Walton High School), Dylan Tanasijevich (Walton High School), Brice Hudson (Cambridge High School), coxswain Jordan Katz (Walton High School), and alternate AJ Hall (Cambridge High School). The boat was coached by Jake Kazlow, the Varsity Men’s Coach.
Coach Kazlow remarked, “I am really proud of everyone. It takes a lot more than 4 or 5 guys to have a fast boat. This is an accomplishment for the entire team and a manifestation of all of the hard work they have put in over the past year. I am excited not just for the results this year but for the years to come with a young and determined crew.”
St. Andrew Rowing Club president, Bob Parker, added, “What an awesome season for our Men’s Lightweight 4. It’s been a couple of years since SARC sent a crew to Nationals finals.
The club is very proud of their accomplishment, and we cannot wait until next year, as most of the crew will be back. Next year bodes to be an awesome year for both the Men’s and Women’s squads; they both accomplished a lot this year, and we are very proud of them.”
St. Andrew Rowing Club offers recreational and competitive rowing opportunities to youth in grades 6-12, including summer Learn to Row camps. Rowers come from throughout the metro Atlanta area, and all experience levels are welcome. For more information about the sport of rowing, or St. Andrew Rowing Club, please visit www.standrewrowing.com.