St Neots junior rowers selected to represent the Eastern region

On March 8th, the Elite Juniors from St Neots Rowing Club took part in the Junior Sculling Head at Eton Dorney, the same venue used for rowing at the London Olympics, and came away with excellent results. This is a national event with the top crews from around the country competing for the very prestigious honour of winning their category. The boys’ J18 coxless quad of Adam Williams, Nick Shorten, Bryce Taylor and Fergus Mitchell came seventh out of 30, with the J15 girls’ coxed quad made up of Louise Shorten, Lauren Parren, Zoe Adamson, and Voirrey Taylor, coxed by Ellie Sadler, coming fifth in their division of 48. A mixed crew in a J16 quad of Rory Tynan, Adrian Vuylsteke, Olivia Hooper and Sam Clift came an admirable twentieth against some 40 teams composed entirely of older juniors. This was an exceptional performance by the St Neots Juniors.

Two days later on March 10th, the same juniors went to the Junior Inter-Regional Rowing Team East Trials in Peterborough to decide who will represent the Eastern region in the UK- wide inter-regional competition later this year. First division saw Fergus Mitchell come a close third in his single scull at J16, then Fergus went on to win in his J16 double scull as a composite boat with Josh Davies from Huntingdon. In the J15 single sculls, Louise Shorten came first with Lauren Parren in second. In the J14 single sculls, Zoe Adamson won with Voirrey Taylor coming second, despite Voirrey having to overtake two boats who wouldn’t move aside to let her through as they should do, and which cost her precious seconds. Louise and Lauren then won the J15 double scull category, and Voirrey and Zoe won in their J14 double scull. Olivia Hooper also demonstrated that she is on the road back to full fitness after injury by coming a very admirable fifth in her J15 single scull.

The outcome of the JIRR Team East Trials is that Fergus and Josh will represent the Eastern Region in their J16 double scull. Louise was selected as the J15 single sculler, Zoe was selected as the J14 single sculler, Louise and Lauren were selected as the J15 double scull, and Zoe and Voirrey selected as the J14 double scull. These elite juniors from St Neots RC will therefore represent the Eastern Region at the inter-regional championships in Nottingham later this year. A significant achievement all round.

Lastly, following on from Adam Williams participating in GB trials at J18 late last year and performing so well, Fergus Mitchell was invited to the J16 GB trials in Boston in late February and passed these trials in order to qualify for the GB J16 training camp in Nottingham in April. The success of Adam and Fergus at GB level, as well as the performances at the Sculling Head and Team East trials, put the St Neots Rowing Club name firmly in the limelight.

Andy Taylor, one of the junior coaches said:

All the juniors worked really hard and raced in very wet conditions at the Sculling Head, with only marginally better conditions on the Sunday. They’ve all done extremely well against a high number of other competitors and the club is very proud of their achievements.