Prep Talk
Varsity 8 Boat Competes in National Competition
St. Augustine Prep Crew Team’s Varsity 8 competed in the USRowing Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on the weekend of June 8-10. The Prep was one of only two boys’ crews in the Mid-Atlantic region invited to participate in this division (LaSalle College High School in Philadelphia was the other regional boat). The Prep was offered the invitation on the basis of an outstanding season that included winning the Garden State Scholastic Rowing Championships and the Atlantic County Championships, and the boat’s strong finishes in several other prestigious regattas.
The team drove to Tennessee on Wednesday, following a Mass at school concelebrated by President Fr. Donald Reilly, O.S.A., Headmaster Fr. Francis Horn, O.S.A., and Fr. Patrick McStavog, O.S.A., Assistant to the President for Mission and Ministry. Pictured with head coach Mr. Ray D’Amico are the members of the Varsity 8 boat: Zack Seither, Dan Capone, Dan Palombo, Alastair Watson, Brandon Hesser, Shane Dickson, Brett Barry (coxswain), Lee Wetty, and Alex Dillon.
The boat finished third in its repechage heat behind national powers Central Catholic (Pittsburgh) and Chaminade (Long Island, New York), but only the first to boats in that heat made it to the semi-finals. The team is looking forward to continued success next year as five members of the Varsity 8 boat will be returning.