JON ChASE
Grotoniana | All Things Groton
ray Dunn ’12, Derek Boyse ’12, Wyatt Prill ’14, and Bo harwood ’12
Boys Varsity Crew
W
hen the rowing was completed at the annual NEIRA Regatta this past May, Groton had captured the bronze medal in the first fours competition—the School’s first medal in this event in five years.. Groton was seven-tenths of a second behind silver medalist Deerfield Academy and four seconds behind Belmont Hill. The second boat earned a silver medal, behind Belmont Hill, and finished eight seconds ahead of bronze medalist Deerfield Academy. Groton’s third and fourth boats reached the finals with strong rows in the morning heats. However, in the finals, both fought hard but ran off the pace to finish fifth. This season saw three of the four varsity crews successfully competing with BB&N and Derryfield on the Charles River in early April. All four crews later completed sweeps of St. Mark’s on the Nashua River and a second sweep of Middlesex on the Concord River. In late May, the crews earned a sweep of Nobles on the Nashua River to help Groton retain the Cooke Family Cup for the third year in a row. After the NEIRA season ended, oarsmen from our varsity fours were combined into an eight and a four for competition at the Henley Royal Regatta. Groton entered the Princess Elizabeth Cup competition for junior eights and the Prince Albert Cup for university fours. Prior to the June 27 Henley competition, the four and eight competed in England at the Reading Amateur Regatta, the Marlowe Regatta, and the Reading Town Regatta. In Marlowe, the eight captured gold medals in the Intermediate
76 | Quarterly Fall 2012
3 and Intermediate 2 races. At the Reading Town Regatta, the eight captured the Intermediate 1 race over a six-boat field, setting the stage for Henley. The opening round of racing in the Princess Elizabeth Cup pitted Groton against the Reading Blue Coats of the UK. In our first race, Groton started well and built a quarterlength lead at the Barrier. Groton increased its lead and finished one-and-a-quarter lengths ahead for Groton boys’ first victory at Henley in ten years. The second-round opponent was a very strong crew from Hampton School, which had recently finished second in the British Schoolboy Championships. In a solid race, both crews were even as they reached the barrier, more than 600 meters into the race. The crews were still even after 800 meters, when Hampton began to show its superiority. It reached a gear we were unable to match and slowly drew away to a two-length victory. Later, in the boat tent, both crews exchanged handshakes and best wishes. It was a well-rowed race on both sides, but the Hampton School eight was beyond our reach. Groton’s eight was made up of Jamie Billings ’12, Derek Boyse ’12, Ray Dunn ’12, Wyatt Prill ’14, Thomas Cecil ’13, Artie Santry ’12, Connor Popik ’13, Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld ’13, and Ellee Watson ’13. Our group of spares included Willy Anderson ’15, Aria Kopp ’13, Michael Ma ’15, Nick Wray ’13, Johnny Bianco ’13, and Bo Harwood ’12. —Coach Bob Madden Captains-elect: Johann Colloredo-Mansfeld ’13, Connor Popik ’13