On Halloween, Wayland-Weston Crew raced in their last regatta of the season, MPSRA (Massachusetts Public Schools Rowing Association) Fall State Championships, graciously hosted on Fall River’s South Watuppa Pond by Watuppa Rowing Center. Featuring 28 events for Girls and Boys boats, the regatta was sanctioned and overseen by the U.S. Rowing Association. Wayland-Weston Crew competed in 16 events.
A mischievous trick-or-treat spirit prevailed as extremely challenging conditions dominated the morning races, with variable water and wind conditions necessitating several changes by race officials to the grueling 3,800-meter (2.36-mile) course. All of Wayland-Weston’s boats raced with grit, even as they dealt with rolling white caps that submerged riggers at times!
By the afternoon’s varsity races, the water and wind settled down and allowed for more even competition. The Varsity Girls 8+s (eight rowers plus coxswain) won both their events, defeating Duxbury, Hingham, Boston Latin, Brookline, Arlington-Belmont, and others.
The Varsity Boys, up against firm competition, comported themselves well, with Varsity Boys boats medaling in all events they competed in and winning several sculling events. Both Wayland-Weston first and second eights finished third behind Brookline and Duxbury. The third eight finished second behind Brookline.
In the morning, with variable conditions, the Novice Girls 4+ rowed hard amongst tough competition, defeating Bromfield Acton-Boxborough and others, and closing out a season of first-place wins. The Novice Boys 1st 8+ rowed hard amongst tough competition and conditions, while the Novice Boys 2nd 8+ won their event and finally took home a medal to close out a great season of hard work.
The Middle School Girls sent two coxed quadruple sculls boats (4x+), powered by a coxswain and four rowers with two oars each, to race Bromfield Acton-Boxborough, with all three boats handling the challenging early morning race conditions well.
All told, despite blustery fall weather, Wayland-Weston made a strong showing at State Championships, bringing home medals in all but one event, closing out a fantastic fall season and a joyous return to competition post-Covid. As Wayland-Weston athletes turn to winter sports or begin winter training as a team, all have their eyes set to spring 2022 when they will return to Lake Cochituate for another great season.
Full regatta results and more info about Wayland-Weston Crew can be found at https://www.wwcrew.org/home
Submitted by Orla Daunt & Barrett Brountas
