Last year’s freshman and novice boats had strong showings and these rowers are expected to make a solid push into the JV and Varsity ranks.
By Melanie Cane
Last year’s freshman and novice boats had strong showings and these rowers are expected to make a solid push into the JV and Varsity ranks.
The Girls’ team has grown significantly and Coach Stan Nelson sees no signs of it stopping. The Boys’ team really shined last spring, with best-ever performances at the New York State Championships and at the US Rowing Youth National regatta in Sacramento.
Record numbers from both the girls’ and boys’ teams qualified for Nationals. Coach Nelson knows last year’s success will be tough to match, but he says they have the talent and drive to get there.
The rowers Nelson is counting on to lead are seniors Allie Pankoff and Amber Mustafic. On the boys’ side, seniors Jim Palmer, Kiefer Mueller, Brendan Faries, and Jack Smith will lead the way. Palmer is an especially gifted rower who rowed with the US Jr. National team this summer.
Senior coxswains Ally Sullivan and Michael McGinnis will play a big part, explained Nelson, as they direct both the boys’ and girls’ boats on the courses.
Catharine Labine, the new Girls’ coach is an accredited master rower, US rowing referee, and was head coach at a club in Connecticut for six years. Her enthusiasm is contagious. “I love coaching!” she exclaimed. She is thrilled to be coaching for Rye and excited about the quality of rowing and the new facilities and boats here.
Coach Nelson had some nice words about Jennifer Palermo, the former girls’ coach, “for her passion and dedication the past four years. We couldn’t have gotten here without her.”
The Garnets’ first regatta is the Head of the Riverfront October 6 in Hartford, where the team will compete against schools and clubs from all over the greater NE region.
