PHOTO AND STORY COURTESY SMU

DALLAS (SMU) – Chase Graham has been named head rowing coach at SMU, Director of Athletics Rick Hart announced today. Graham comes to the Hilltop from Duke, where he served as associate head coach and recruiting director.
 
Graham joined the Duke staff in August of 2015 and served as an assistant coach with the Blue Devils for his first two seasons before being promoted to most recent role in June of 2017.
 
“We are excited to welcome Chase and his family to the Hilltop. He has a great vision for SMU rowing, and will build upon our championship culture, positioning our program for continued national prominence,” said Hart. “I’d also like to thank Josh Whittenburg for leading this search, with support from Bowlsby Sports Advisors, as well as members of the search committee for the time and energy they dedicated to this process.”
 
“I am grateful to be named SMU’s next head rowing coach. SMU has a great vision for the rowing program and I am excited about what is ahead,” Graham said. “I am thankful for my time at Duke and I want to thank my student-athletes, Head Coach Megan Cooke Carcagno and our other coaches and staff with whom I have had the pleasure of working over the past eight years. I can’t wait to get to the Hilltop and start this new challenge. “
 
In 2023, Duke saw its best finish in program history, placing 14th at the NCAA Championships. In their four prior appearances, the Blue Devils finished 17th overall with 45 points in 2016, 16th with 47 points in 2019, 16th with 55 points in 2021 and 16th with 45 points in 2022.

In 2022, Graham oversaw Duke’s Second Varsity Eight boat, which shot out of the gate with a win in each of its first seven races of the season. That stretch included a three-race sweep at the Oak Ridge Cardinal Invite, as well as victories over No. 4 Michigan and No. 9 Ohio State at the Big Ten/ACC Double Dual that garnered ACC Crew of the Week honors. The 2V8 went on to collect nine total first-place finishes during the spring campaign and earned bronze in the Grand Final of the ACC Championship at Clemson. That marked the third consecutive season that Graham guided the 2V8 to a spot on the ACC podium. At the NCAA Championships in Sarasota, Florida, the 2V8 advanced to the C Final for a third straight season, taking third with a time of 6:42.825.

In 2021, Graham worked closely with Duke’s 2V8 crew that took first place in five races throughout the spring season. The boat turned in a historic performance at the NCAA Championships, claiming first in the C Final with a time of 6:43.416. It marked the Duke program’s third all-time victory in an NCAA C Final, two of which came in the 2V8 event.

Graham played a key role in boosting Duke’s recruiting prowess throughout the country, as some of the team’s greatest contributors have been underclassmen in recent years. Namely, Amelia Shunk was named the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2019 after helping the varsity-4 boat win the first gold medal in program history at the conference championship meet, and later, a Megan Lee (first team) and Morgan Linsley (honorable mention) were named Pocock/CRCA All-Americans.

In addition to attracting top talent from numerous regions in the U.S., Graham has also helped sell the program internationally, as recent signees include natives of England, New Zealand and Australia, among other countries.

During the 2016-17 season, Graham oversaw the V4 and 2V4 boats, with the 2V4 being named the ACC Crew of the Week in March. His two units took first place at the season-opening Carolina Cup, and then headed to the Longhorn Invite, where the 2V4 outpaced Texas, Notre Dame and Iowa.

Both boats also brought home titles at the Dale England Cup with the V4 finishing in 7:45.7 and the 2V4 in 8:01.3. Graham then led both crews to the ACC Championship Grand Final, with the V4 earning third place and the 2V4 claiming fourth.

In 2015-16, his first season on the Duke staff, Graham helped the program earn its first NCAA Championships selection after winning silver at the ACC meet. For his efforts, he was part of the Duke coaching staff that received CRCA National Staff of the Year and Region III Staff of the Year accolades.

The V4 boat captured the C Final at the NCAA Championships and took second at the ACC Championship Grand Final in 2015-16. The crew tallied the Blue Devils’ lone win at the Pac-12 Challenge, as it downed UCLA with a time of 7:21.5, and also turned in a standout performance at the Dale England Cup with two victories

Graham joined Duke after four years as the head junior girls coach at Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, Connecticut.

With Saugatuck, Graham helped the 2015 V8 and varsity lightweight 8 to the Youth National Championship. His V8 went undefeated and took first place at the Head of the Charles, San Diego Crew Classic, Youth National Championship and Club National Championship. 

In 2014, his varsity lightweight 8 claimed second place at the Youth National Championship while his 4+ was the Club National Champion.

In 2013, Graham coached the women’s single at the Junior World Rowing Championships in Trakai, Lithuania.

Graham began rowing at Parkersburg South High School in West Virginia, where he competed for Midwest and scholastic national championships. After graduating high school, Graham went on to row at Marietta College from 2003-07. He was named the team’s Most Improved Oarsman in 2004.  

He rowed with the V8 for three years and helped lead the team to a Varsity 8 Dad Vail Championship in 2006. Graham earned a bachelor’s degree in management and minor in sport management in 2007. 

While pursuing a master’s in education, Graham continued training in the men’s pair and won a Club National Championship as well as claiming a third-place finish at the Canadian Henley Regatta. During his time training and completing his education, he served as a women’s graduate assistant coach at Marietta College for two years. He helped lead his squad to a Mid Atlantic Division III Championship while also playing an important role in recruiting.

In 2009, Graham began coaching the women’s rowing program at Fairfield University. During his first year at Fairfield, he led his squad to the program’s first Dad Vail Championship.  
 

STORY COURTESY HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA | PHOTO BY LISA WORTHY

CONDITIONS: SUNSHINE AND PATCHY CLOUDS WITH A  CROSS-HEADWIND

THE DRAW

1       11.00  P. Albert      598  Oxford Brookes University  vs  611 University of Washington, USA

Brookes defended their Prince Albert Challenge Cup (Student Men’s Four) after charging through in the middle of the race and pulling away from Washington, the 2015 champions, through the Stewards’ Enclosures to the finish.

Brookes rating far lower than Washington (33 vs 39) were ½ a length behind at the Barrier but were reeling Washington in by Remenham, level by the Mile and won by a storming 3 ¾ lengths. 

It was a double over Washington in this Regatta after Brookes knocked out Washington in the Temple. Brookes beat University of California, Berkeley last year and and are showing their mettle against the big USA college programmes throughout the events in this Regatta. 

Champions: Oxford Brookes University 

2       11.10  Jubilee        544  The Tideway Scullers’ School  vs  548 Wycliffe Junior R.C. ‘A’

Whichever way this race went, it would be a new name on the trophy, and it was anybody’s guess who would come out on top, following a number of races through this season in which the win changed hands and was decided by only a number of seconds.

But today, it was Tideway Scullers’ School who took the club’s inaugural Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup title (Junior Women’s Quad Sculls). The Tideway crew led from the start, and held off multiple advances from the favoured Wycliffe crew who seemed unable to match the steady intensity which the London girls brought to Finals Day. 

Champions: The Tideway Scullers’ School

3       11.20  Wyfold        347  London R.C.  vs  368 Thames R.C. ‘A’

London beat the holders and Putney rivals Thames to win The Wyfold Challenge Cup (Club Men’s Coxless Four). London, champions in 2011 and favourites at the start of the Regatta, led from start to finish but it was not entirely comfortable.

London led by ½ a length at the Barrier but could not extend. Thames were always in contact and London weaved a little close to the booms through the middle. But it was London with the Grandstand finish and they won by 1 ½ lengths. 

Champions: London Rowing Club

4       11.30  Thames       52 Thames R.C. ‘A’ vs 34 K.A.R.Z.V. De Hoop, NED

Thames Rowing Club ‘A’ beat K.A.R.Z.V. De Hoop from the Netherlands to take back the Thames Challenge Cup trophy (Club Men’s Eight) following their loss in the final of this event last year at the hands of Molesey.

The Thames event is made up by rowers who balance their working lives with a near professional level of training. Thames have been champions in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2018, and are clearly finding the right formula. Today they were supreme in their victory, leading the race from the start and drawing out a lead of nearly 4 lengths through the Enclosures.

Champions: Thames R.C. ‘A’

5       11.40  P.Grace       396 Shawnigan Lake School, CAN  vs  391 Leicester R.C. & Leander Club

Great Britain’s quad beat Canada’s to win The Princess Grace Challenge Cup (Women’s Quad Sculls) despite a crew change from yesterday with Rebecca Wilde coming in for Lola Anderson as a medical replacement in  the three seat.

The GB quad were slightly ragged off the start and were warned as they veered to the middle of the Course off the Bucks station. The Canadians led by half a length, but it was down to a canvas by the Barrier and GB asserted their class as Paris 2024 Olympic medal hopefuls and were 2 ½ lengths just before halfway at Fawley. 

It was the first of the 14 finals today for Leander, this time as a composite with Leicester Rowing Club. 
Champions: Leicester R.C. & Leander Club

6       11.50 P. Wales       408  Leander Club  vs  406 Hollandia Roeiclub, NED

Leander denied another Dutch crew a win, beating Hollandia Roeiclub, NED and securing a third Prince of Wales Challenge Cup  (Intermediate Men’s Quad Sculls) win in a row following victories in 2021 and 2022. 

With two returning from those previous winning crews, Leander had all the experience to control the race. Hollandia Roeiclub, the Dutch U23 national quad, made overcoming that experience difficult, with the bowman starting the race with his blades out the water.

The Dutch crew, following their unfortunate start, were able to draw level with Leander before the local crew found another gear at the Fawley, pulling away to a length’s lead and going two-for-two so far in a Leander packed day.

Champions: Leander Club

7       12.00 Town            292  Leander Club & Imperial College London  vs  291 Leander Club

Great Britain’s powerful four beat the GB development four to win The Town Challenge Cup (Women’s Coxless Four) to make it three from three for Leander. 

Heidi Long, Rowan McKellar and Rebecca Shorten, joined by Helen Glover, the double Olympic gold medalist were as dominant as expected. They took immediate control and were 2 ½ lengths up by the Barrier and extended away. 

McKellar (bow seat) is doubling up and will be in the two seat in the Remenham in Race 19 in the GB vs Canada showdown.

Champions: Leander Club & Imperial College London  

8       12.10 Ladies’         13 Leander Club  vs  16 Oxford Brookes University ‘A’

In the race of the morning so far, two titans at the top of British rowing collided, with Leander being denied a repeat of last year’s victory as Brookes ‘A’ held off the local crew to win The Ladies’ Challenge Plate (Intermediate Men’s Eight). 

Although Brookes led through all the Course markers, they were unable to break away from Leander, and the local crew launched one final attack but left it marginally too late, following Brookes over the line three feet behind.

Champions: Oxford Brookes University ‘A’

9       12.20 Stewards’   288 Oxford Brookes University  vs 289 Thames R.C. ‘A’

Great Britain’s men’s four were the hot favourites and delivered in style in The Stewards’ Challenge Cup (Men’s Coxless Four) to see Brookes take back the title they won in 2021 and make it two-in-two for Brookes after their win in the Ladies’.

Thames were loaded with previous Henley winners but the Brookes four of Ollie Wilkes, Dave Ambler, Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson are the European and world champions for a reason. Aldridge and Davidson had lost by one foot to the Australians last year but there was no chance of a close finish this year and Brookes were five lengths up by the Barrier. 

Champions: Oxford Brookes University

10     12.30 Visitors’      312 Oxford Brookes University  vs  307 Leander Club

Taking three wins in a row, Brookes proved too much for Leander once again, winning in the Visitors’ Challenge Cup (Intermediate Men’s Coxless Four). The local club were not able to make it even following the loss in the Ladies’ two races ago. 

Brookes were able to slowly draw out a lead over the course of the race, taking a length over Leander past the Mile marker. Brookes answered every question Leander had for them, only extending their lead when Leander pushed and finishing nearly two lengths ahead.

Champions: Oxford Brookes University

11     12.40 Temple       138 Oxford Brookes University ‘A’  vs  156 Syracuse University, USA

Holders Oxford Brookes made it four wins in a row at today’s Finals Day as they outclassed a strong Syracuse eight The Temple Challenge Cup (Student Men’s Eight). It would be incredible if it was not also so expected given the strength of the Brookes programme. 

Syracuse beat the Brookes ‘B’ boat with comfort in the semi-final, and Nereus in the quarters, but they were never able to threaten Brookes ‘A’. 

Brookes were a ¾ length up by the Barrier and though Syracues held them they could not pull back. Brookes were a length up the Mile and won by 1 ¼ lengths. 

Champions: Oxford Brookes University

12      12.50 Doubles     654 A. Thompson & J.E. Collins  vs  651 A. Garcia Pujolar & R. Conde Romero  

Spain’s world silver medalists. Aleix Garcia Pujolar & Rodrigo Conde Romero had a golden Sunday winning Spain’s first ever title at Henley Royal Regatta as they beat the British double of Aidan Thompson &  John Collins  (Twickenham Rowing Club and Leander Club) The Double Sculls Challenge Cup (Men’s Double Sculls). 

Garcia Pujolar & Conde Romero (Club Natació Banyoles and Club Remo do Miño, Spain) left nothing to chance, gave it everything and it was clear what it meant to them after crossing the line. They needed to be at their best as Collins has won this event three times with different partners. 

The Spanish double were dominant off the start, 1 ¼ lengths up at the Barrier. Thompson &  Collins  threw everything they had into the second quarter of the race, the Spanish held and then made their move, pulling away to win by three lengths.

Champions: Garcia Pujolar & Conde Romero (Club Natació Banyoles and Club Remo do Miño, Spain)

13      1.00 Island            209 University of Pennsylvania ‘A’, USA vs 187 Oxford Brookes University ‘A’

As the morning session finished, Brookes completed painting the Thames burgundy with another win, this time in The Island Challenge Cup (Student Women’s Eight) over University of Pennsylvania ‘A’. 

Although Pennsylvania led off the start, control over the race swung to Brookes past Fawley, and the British crew led the Americans by a quarter of a length into the Enclosures. Laying everything on the line, Pennsylvania pressed hard but Brookes, carrying the successes of the morning with them, held on to win by a canvas. Knowing how to close out nail-biting races has been a feature of their campaign on Finals Day, winning in similarly dramatic style in the Ladies’.

Champions: Oxford Brookes University ‘A’

The Afternoon Session

14     2.30 PE   244 St. Paul’s School  vs  241 St. Edward’s School

Ending their 24-year wait for a Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup (Junior Men’s Eight) title, St. Edward’s School beat defending winners, St. Pauls, to kick off the afternoon session in a tight run race. 

It was clear that the race was going to be hard fought from St. Pauls, who always seem to find another gear at Henley in recent years, and have shown that their final 500m speed is some of the best on the circuit. But St. Edwards , Oxford took it to the London schoolboys, leading them by a length at Fawley, and responding to every push that Paul’s made coming into the Enclosures.

Those who claimed that Teddies have been hiding in the dark following their National Schools Regatta win over a month ago saw the Oxford schoolboy crew in the stark sunlight of Finals Day take the win by a third of a length.

Champions: St. Edward’s School

15    2.40 PRCC           716 D. Dymchenko, AZE  vs  731 M. Wieliczko, POL

In a matchup of world class standard, Diana Dymchenko of Azerbaijan beat Marta Wieliczko of Poland in The Princess Royal Challenge Cup (Women’s Single Sculls). In a blustering crosshead wind Dymchenko, who has been a semi-finalist at Henley Royal Regatta on three different occasions, broke through to take her first win in the prestigious event. 

In a race measured by feet and inches rather than lengths, the two scullers couldn’t be separated for the majority of the Course, until they came to past the progress boards, at which point Dymchenko, a world champion coastal rower and unfazed by the choppy conditions, put together a blistering finish to the cheers of the crowds.

Champions: D. Dymchenko, AZE

16    2.50 QM 382 Nottingham R.C. & Leander Club  vs  381 A.Z.S. Torun & W.T.W. Wloclawek, PO

Marked out for many as a David and Goliath encounter, the British quad of Callum Dixon, Tom Barras, George Bourne and Matt Haywood took the win over the mighty Polish crew of Fabian Baranski, Miroslaw Zietarski, Mateusz Biskup and Dominik Czaja in The Queen Mother Challenge Cup (Men’s Quad Sculls). The (open) secret of the British crew was their combined 19 Henley entries over the last few years, compared to the total unfamiliarity with Henley Royal Regatta for the Polish crew who are current world and European Champions.

The British started strong, holding level Polish at the Barrier before the Polish eeked out half a length’s lead through Remenham. But this race reminded us, and importantly the Polish, once again that the most important metres at Henley Royal Regatta are often the last 112. With their experience of the Course, between the 1⅛ Mile marker and the finish, the British produced a gritty final push, rowing the Polish down and taking the win over the world Champions.
Champions: Nottingham R.C. & Leander Club

17     3.00 PP  262 Greenwich Crew, USA  vs  259 Deerfield Academy, USA

Greenwich Crew won an all-American final in The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy (Junior Women’s Eight) beating Deerfield Academy in a hotly-contested race. 

A great last quarter from Greenwich Crew, Connecticut, USA, saw them pull remorselessly ahead of Deerfield Academy, Massachusetts , inch-by-inch with every stroke until they crossed the line half a length ahead. 

Rowing building headwind, Deerfield were faster off the start and were a canvas ahead for much of the race, but Greenwich pulled past and Deerfield had no response. 
Champions: Greenwich Crew, USA

18      3.10 Goblets  630 J. Walkey & J. Cullen, CAN  vs  631 O.H. Wynne-Griffith & T.J.E. George

GB pair, Ollie Wynne-Griffith & Tom George (Leander Club) beat Jack Walkey & Joel Cullen (Rowing Canada, Canada) in The Silver Goblets & Nickalls’ Challenge Cup (Men’s Pair) to chalk up another win for Leander Club. 

Wynne-Griffith & George, the losing finalists last season, won a dominant gold at the Varese World Cup a fortnight ago by three seconds. Their time of 6:13.15 was a British record. They had too much for the Canada pair and controlled the race from the start. They were 2 ½ lengths up by the Barrier and extended away. 
Champions: Ollie Wynne-Griffith & Tom George (Leander Club)

19      3.20 Remenham     4 Leander Club ‘A’  vs  6 Maple Bay Rowing Club, CAN

Canada’s women’s eight shocked Great Britain’s women’s eight off the start and went onto a convincing victory in The Remenham Challenge Cup (Women’s Eight). It was Canada’s first win in the Remenham since 2015. 

Canada perhaps benefited from Britain’s Rowan McKellar (two seat) doubling up from winning the Town (women’s quad) three hours before, but they also tactically surprised GB and were a length up at the Barrier. Britain could not respond and Canada were nearly two lengths up by Remenham and only a sprint finish by GB cut the margin of victory to 1 ¼ lengths. For Canada it was revenge for the Varese World Cup a fortnight ago when GB took silver nine hundredths of a second ahead of them in third. 

Champions: Maple Bay Rowing Club, CAN

20      3.30 Diamonds     712 O. Zeidler, GER  vs  699 P. Plominski, POL

In a race which saw the world champion, Oliver Zeidler pitched against Piotr Plominski from Poland, the German was formidable in securing his third Diamond Challenge Sculls title (Men’s Single Sculls).

It seemed unlikely that Plominski was going to overturn Zeidler, who knows the Henley Course very well, and Zeidler made this abundantly clear, dealing with the choppy conditions past Temple Island confidently, and moving away to take the win by 2 lengths.

Champions:  O. Zeidler, GER

21      3.40 Grand    1 Maple Bay R.C., CAN  vs  2 Oxford Brookes University & Leander

In the oldest event at Henley Royal Regatta, a modern rivalry was showcased between the British and the Canada men’s eights in which the British took it by storm securing The Grand Challenge Cup (Men’s Eight) for the third successive year.

This was a re-run of the race two weeks ago at World Cup II in Varese in which the British won by around six seconds. It was a dominant display from the start of the race for the British crew, who then exploded away at Remenham to lead by four lengths and take the race emphatically.

Champions: Oxford Brookes University & Leander

22      3.50 Stonor    671 O.A. Obukohwo & K.S.A. George  vs  668 J. Moffatt & J. Casson, CAN

Jill Moffatt & Jennifer Casson, Canadian national rowers, avenged The Grand Challenge Cup result with a confident win in The Stonor Challenge Trophy (Women’s Double Sculls). The British combination of Vwairé Obukohwo & Katherine George were left standing at the start of the race, being dropped by over a length at the ¼ Mile. The deficit was irrecoverable, and the Canadian combination continued to dominate the race with a substantial lead which few expected.

Champions: J. Moffatt & J. Casson, CAN

23       4.00 Hambleden       639 E.M. Lindberg & E.C. Witt  vs  635 R.E.S. Edwards & C.P.W. Brew

Emily Lindberg & Elizabeth Witt, rowing for University of London and Imperial College London, were beaten by Rebecca Edwards & Chloe Brew from Leander Club in The Hambleden Pairs Challenge Cup (Women’s Pair). It was a race which saw the underdogs of Lindberg & Witt push Edwards & Brew the whole way down the Course. 

In increasingly difficult conditions both pairs experienced issues, with Lindberg & Witt lurching in the first 10 strokes and Edwards & Brew steering waywardly at times which meant that the Leander crew never totally broke free of the London & Imperial composite. The Leander crew went on to take the win by nearly two lengths.

Champions: R.E.S. Edwards & C.P.W. Brew

24       4.10 Wargrave       68 Leander Club   vs  78 Thames R.C. ‘A’

Making it two-one Thames-Leander in the Wargrave, Thames Rowing Club, although not having all the races their way in the morning, took the win against Leander Club in The Wargrave Challenge Cup (Club Women’s Eight). 

The London club claimed the win in emphatic style, leading Leander by two lengths at the Mile and holding their lead through the Enclosures for a repeat of last year’s final result.

Champions: Thames R.C. ‘A’

25        4.20 Britannia     575 Thames R.C. ‘A’  vs  566 Molesey B.C.

To make it back-to-back wins, Thames Rowing Club ‘A’ took a controlled and accomplished win over Molesey Boat Club in The Britannia Challenge Cup (Club Men’s Four). In the only race today which saw the two London clubs with a historic rivalry come together, Thames R.C. ‘A’ came out victorious in a race which they dominated from the starting stroke. They ultimately took the win by nearly four lengths.

Champions: Thames R.C. ‘A’

26        4.30 Fawley       440 Hinksey Sculling School ‘A’   vs  448 Leander Club ‘A’

In the final race of Henley Royal Regatta, 2023, Leander ‘A’ produced a dominant performance over Hinksey Sculling School ‘A’ to win The Fawley Challenge Cup (Junior Men’s Quad Sculls).

The race began with a mistake from Hinksey who, coming out through the Island, were buffeted by strong winds forcing them onto the buoys which they clipped, breaking their stride. Leander, seeing this, capitalised early, leading the Hinksey boys to a two length lead by Fawley. The lead was too much for Hinksey to recover, and Leander went on to win the race by over three lengths. 

Champions: Hinksey Sculling School ‘A’

BY CHIP DAVIS | PHOTO COURTESY UCF

The University of Central Florida has hired Mara Allen to be the next head coach of the Knights.

Allen, who has been on the University of Texas staff for the last eight years, coached the Longhorns’ four to victory at the 2023 NCAA Championships. She takes over a troubled program as UCF joins the Big 12 Conference on July 1.

“We’re going to focus mostly on the culture, moving forward, and getting better,” Allen told Rowing News from her native San Francisco as she prepared to move to Orlando. “And then if we do that, things will be good.”

“We’re really excited to welcome Coach Allen to UCF,” said Terry Mohajir, vice president and director of athletics. “She has coached and competed at the highest level, winning a gold medal with the U.S. National Team, two national championships as one of the top assistants in the country, and two as a student-athlete. Those experiences, combined with her familiarity with the Big 12 and her ability to communicate and motivate, will make her the perfect fit for our rowing program.”

Allen’s predecessor at UCF, Becky Cramer, resigned in April after a leave of absence. A group of alumnae wrote a letter and circulated a petition protesting the circumstances of the change. In it, they lauded Cramer, supported contemporary rowing’s high training volume and regular erg tests, and criticized the increasing precedence of a few malcontents’ complaints leading to coaches’ terminations.

With its move to the Big 12 Conference, UCF is going all-in on NCAA Division I athletics, including women’s rowing.

“That’s one of the things that was really attractive about the position,” said Allen. “And how supportive the administration is of not just athletics but the rowing team. The athletic director is very much behind having a successful rowing team. It’s been exciting to hear and to be given anything we need to be successful. So it’s just a matter of hard work, and attitude, and getting the culture right.”

Allen rowed and won two NCAA Division I national championships at Cal with Coach Dave O’Neill and then joined his staff when he went to Texas, where the team won two more. 

“I can’t say enough good things about my time there.” 

Accepting the UCF job offer was the hardest decision she’s ever made, Allen said.

 “It’s a great opportunity at UCF. Take the challenge, and see what’s possible.”

PHOTO AND STORY COURTESY USROWING

USRowing is pleased to announce the PR3 mixed double sculls, PR3 four with coxswain, PR1 men’s single sculls, and PR2 mixed double sculls boats that will represent the U.S. at the 2023 World Rowing Championships September 3-10 in Belgrade, Serbia.

The two PR3 crews were selected through the PR3 selection camp held on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J., which just wrapped up this past week. The PR1 men’s single sculls and PR2 mixed double sculls solidified their spots on the team following the Gavirate International Para Regatta held earlier this month in Italy.

This year’s PR3 mixed double sculls crew will be made up of Gemma Wollenschlaeger (St. Augustine Beach, Fla./Temple University) and Todd Vogt (Rochester, N.Y. /Portland Boat Club). Wollenschlaeger, a first-time national team member, just completed her sophomore season at Temple University, while Vogt is a two-time national team member who finished fifth in the event at the 2022 World Rowing Championships.

The PR3 mixed four with coxswain will include Saige Harper (Easthampton, Mass./Sacred Heart University), Alex Flynn (Wilmington, Mass./Tufts University), and coxswain Emilie Eldracher (Andover, Mass./Massachusetts Institute of Technology), who all return from last year’s boat that finished fifth at the world championships. They will be joined by national team newcomers Ben Washburne (Madison, Conn./Williams College), who just finished his senior year at Williams College, and Skylar Dahl (Minneapolis, Minn./University of Virginia), who just completed her sophomore year at Virginia.

“This year’s squad is a strong combination of experienced veterans and very promising newcomers,” said Para High Performance Director Ellen Minzner. “I am excited to see how they will evolve over the next couple of months and through next year in the lead-up to the Paralympic Games.”

In the PR1 men’s single sculls, Andrew Mangan (Buffalo, N.Y./Stanford University/West Side Rowing Club) will be representing the U.S. for the second time, having finished 10th in the event at the 2022 World Rowing Championships. Mangan made the B final earlier this month at World Rowing Cup 2 in Varese, Italy, and reached Saturday’s A final in Gavirate.

In the PR2 mixed double sculls, Russell Gernaat (Redwood City, Calif./Lake Casitas Rowing Club) and Madison Eberhard (Buffalo, N.Y./ West Side Rowing Club) are a new combination this year. Gernaat and Eberhard won the NSR in April and earned a bronze medal in Sunday’s final in Gavirate. A four-time national team member, Gernaat raced the event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, while Eberhard will be competing on her second national team, having raced in the PR2 women’s single sculls in 2019.

The PR3 crews will get their first international test July 8-9 at the 2023 Para Rowing Regatta to Paris on the Olympic/Paralympic course in Vaires-sur-Marne, France.

The 2023 World Rowing Championships run September 3-10 in Belgrade and are the first opportunity for countries to qualify boats for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.