ABINGDON RC’s junior crews took home four trophies from the John Star Club New Year Head on the River Ouse at Bedford, writes John Wiggins.
The youngest of these were the J14 girls – Anna Sammartino, Gina Segrt, Erin Gebhart and Kerry Whelan – in the quad scull, steered by Pippa Mentzel, who defeated Bedford Girls School by a minute.
When grouped in various double combinations, these girls had to settle for second, third and fourth behind the hosts Star Club.
The Abingdon J15 girls double of Charlotte Rowley and Ella Lovibond held off the chasing boats from Bedford Modern School to win by six seconds.
Abingdon’s five J15 boys raced in singles and doubles, with Jacob Millard winning in the single and then partnering Joe McConnell to success in the double scull.
The club are proud of the mix of squads at the club – now in it’s 59th year – where a quarter of the 130 membership are juniors.
The major event of the year is the Abingdon Head of the River Race in early April.
A successful event in 2017 will assist the fund-raising for projects like the refurbishment to the changing rooms at the Thames-side site off Wilsham Road.
The club has a team of coaches taking scullers and crews to local and national events as well seeking progress through the GB junior trials.
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