Twelve high school students from Alameda were among nearly 70 athletes competing with the Oakland Strokes rowing team at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida, last weekend (June 6-9). This year’s event was the largest ever, with more than 4,000 competitors, according to a USRowing [1] report.
[2]Bottom: (L to R) Violet Hasten, Maria Kozak, Ella Randecker, Ingrid Flory, Skye Skjorshammer, Talia Ackiron, Zosia Morehouse, Bailee Meyers and Harper Wood-Soloff. Photo Joel Flory.
Alameda students who competed at the Championships, included the following:
- Giovanni Grajea Sierra from Alameda Community Learning Center [3] (ACLC).
- Ella Randecker, Talia Ackiron, Mari Fukuda, Austin Britton, Fergus McWilton, Aemon Morlan, Rebecca Stelmach, George Hughes, and Audrey Jaber Worley from Alameda High School [4] (AHS).
- Cosmo Hondrogen and Jack Hume from St. Joseph Notre Dame [5] (SJND).
The Oakland Strokes team finished in the top 10 in seven events, winning the Men’s Youth Coxless Four (M Youth 4-) event [6] and taking third in the Men’s Youth Eight (M Youth 8+). Here’s how they finished at the National Championships:
- 1st in the M Youth 4- (Aemon Morlan – AHS).
- 3rd in the M Youth 8+ (Cosmo Hondrogen, Jack Hume – SJND).
- 5th in the W U16 8+ (Talia Ackiron, Ella Randecker – AHS).
- 6th in the W U18 8+ (Mari Fukuda – AHS).
- 7th in the W 2V 8+ (Audrey Jaber Worley – AHS).
- 8th in the M U17 2x
- 9th in the M U16 8+ (Austin Britton – AHS, Giovanni Grajea Sierra – ACLC, Fergus McWilton – AHS).
- 11th in the W Youth 8+ (George Hughes, Rebecca Stelmach – AHS).
- 22nd in the M Youth 2V 8+
Several High School seniors who competed in Florida will continue to row with competitive college programs. Rebecca Stelmach, who captured the gold medal for the U19 4+ (Under 19 Women’s Coxed Four) at the 2023 World Rowing Championship, committed to Yale. Cosmo Hondrogen committed to Dartmouth and Jack Hume committed to Princeton. They also competed at the 2023 World Rowing Championship and captured 8th with the U19 4- (Under 19 Men’s Coxless Four). Audrey Jaber Worley committed to UC San Diego.
Established in 1974, the Oakland Strokes provides rowing opportunities for student athletes of all backgrounds and abilities from across the East Bay to learn to row and race in a team environment amid a culture of great performances and excellent teammates. The program fosters strength of character, a strong work ethic, self confidence, and a respect for others. Learn more about the program at the Oakland Strokes website [7].