W.T. Woodson Freshmen Men win the Virginia

Freshmen Men’s Eight+ State Championship

NCASRA Novice Championships

Ted Phoenix Regatta

3 May 2008

On a beautiful spring day Woodson entered three boats: A Novice/Fourth Men’s Eight+; A Freshmen Women’s Eight+; and, a Freshmen Men’s Eight+.

The Novice/Fourth Men’s Eight placed fourth in their heat and did not advance.  The Women’s Freshmen Eight (rowing in only their second race) placed third in their heat and advanced to Finals.  The Men’s Freshman Eight placed second to T.C. Williams and advanced to Finals.

In Finals, the Women’s Freshmen Eight rowing well placed fifth.  And then it really got exciting.  In the Freshmen Men’s Final Woodson was a distant fourth coming to the grandstands.  Then, looking like an upper boat, they executed a beautiful sprint to pass T.C. Williams and West Springfield to end in a never remembered in recent history dead heat at 4:56.3 with St. Albans for first place.  Both teams won Gold Medals, First Place Plaques and Woodson Will hold the trophy.  (Detailed results may be found at: http://www.ronincorporateventures.com/resultseventlist.asp?p=default&pt=rowing&GroupID=253&Year=2008)

The Men’s Freshmen Eight was immediately extended an invitation to race at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America’s 74^th National Championship Regatta in Oakridge, TN 24-25 May.

Next week is the VHSL Championship.  Performance at this regatta will determine upper boat invitations for the Scholastic Rowing Association Championships in Oakridge, TN.  Qualifications are as follows:

• First Varsity Eights: Top six in state (make Finals)
• Second Varsity Eights: Top three in state (third in Finals)
• Junior Eights:  Top four in state (qualification unclear – use different categories than NCASRA)
• Lightweight Eights:  Top three in state (third in Finals)
• First Fours:  Top six in state (make Finals)
• Junior Fours:  Top four (fourth in Finals)

More information may be found at http://www.sraa.net.