PRC Novice Regatta Results

The U17 Eight Silver Finish (left to right) Stroke Fiona Antonini, Noemi Rathgeb, Tatum Barrett, Ayda Turgut, Noa Panasik, Elizabeth Nangle, Jackie Lange, Cailyn Stewart. Coxswain Natalie West in front.

The first spring sprint regatta always calls for courage. For many rowers, the annual PRC Novice U17 Regatta is a rite of passage and the first real test of speed, nerves and resilience. This year, the wind and rain made that challenge even more obvious. Racing in tough conditions takes more than just fitness. It also takes a willingness to show up for your team even when there are no guarantees. That kind of vulnerability is part of sports, and stepping up even when things might not go perfectly is where real performance starts.

We’re very proud of our results: U16 4+ took silver, U17 8+ earned bronze and fifth, and Novice 8+ also brought home bronze. The U17 4+ faced technical issues but finished with poise, showing us that how you respond is just as important as the outcome. Results tell us where we are, but our response shapes who we become.

It’s also important to recognize the layers within those results. Our U17 athletes are currently navigating injuries, which has opened doors for athletes who quite literally just walked onto the team and learned to row in our Foundations Program. While many crews at this regatta were having their first race experience, our U17 boat includes six athletes who earned bronze at SRAA Nationals last spring and finished 10th among club teams at USRowing Youth Nationals. That blend of experience and opportunity is powerful, and it is going to be a very fun group to watch grow.

Across the team, our attitude stood out the most. We decided to face the day with humor, even with the tough weather, and older teammates came to help carry oars and cheer everyone on. Our team’s commitment to lean in instead of holding back doesn’t just happen by chance. It’s built with every choice we make.

The best part is that we now have a clear sense of where we stand. We know what’s possible in the next six weeks. Progress won’t happen all at once, but will come from steady, focused effort each day. The season is underway, and so is the work.

The U16 Four+ Silver Finish (stern to bow) Stroke Mable Henspetter, Annabella Chigos, Chloe Contreras, Liana Mayfield and Coxswain Olivia Venegas

UP NEXT  

Saturday February 21 at 1:00 pm at Lake Merced - Class Races and Alumni Day 

Saturday, March 7 at Lake Merced is The PRC Invitational

The Novice 8+ Bronze Finish (left to right) Stroke Ayda Turgut, Sienna Boudraa, Laura Beckinghomme, Chloe Fiester, Eleni Smith, Noa Panasik, Annabelle Turbin, Soheila Labagh with Coxswain Fiona Gomes in front.