High school students compete in Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship

ZANESVILLE, Ohio — High school boys and girls from all over the region tried to row their way to New Jersey this afternoon.

Dillon Lake was the host of the 33rd Annual Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship. High schools from eight different states competed for an opportunity to earn a spot in the national competition later this month.

“Well we’re actually here at the 33rd Annual Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championships which is our national qualifier event for the Midwest region, which figures eight states. We have 46 teams attending this year with over 1,800 student athletes. So it’s all high schools, anywhere from freshman to senior with different categories based on age,” explained Cliff Hecker, the Dillon Lake LOC Operations Manager.

Teams at today’s competition ranged from 30 kids to 300 kids on any individual team, including small boats, with a single “man,” up to larger boats that require eight team members and a coxswain. Hecker says there is broad range of athleticism and experience which leads to extremely high-level competition. U.S. Rowing sanctions and event which allows the teams to qualify for today’s championship.

Hecker adds that the boats, or shells, are made of lightweight carbon fiber and are extremely high-tech. An individual shell can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $45,000 depending on the size and style.

While the competition itself is only a two-day event, hundreds of volunteers work throughout the week to make the event possible.

“Some of us came up on Wednesday night and we’ve been here, and we’ll continue to be here, most of us, all day everyday until tonight when we have to pull the course out, pull the docks out. It takes over 400 volunteer positions to make this regatta as successful as it is”, said Lisa Osborne, who is not only the Race Director, but also the Dillon Lake LOC Executive Director.

Hecker re-iterated his thanks to the volunteers as well saying that “everything you see” is thanks to the work of volunteers; from the course, to the food, to the merchandise, and yes, even the portable bathrooms. He says in total, approximately $1.5 million is invested into the competition.

Dillon Lake LOC is comprised of three high schools that form a conglomerate to put on two regatta’s each year– the other held in April, which is only a one-day competition. The three schools include Parkersburg South High School (WV), as well as Marietta High School, and Upper Arlington High School.

Both Hecker and Osborne emphasized that the uniqueness of Dillon Lake is what makes it such a great venue for the competition. It is one of the only venues in which spectators can see the entire regatta from start to end, whether down near the finish line or up on the hill.

Not only can teams qualify for the national competition at today’s regatta, but students also have the opportunity to earn rowing scholarships to a school of their choosing with an exemplary performance in today’s meet. And while it’s a long four days, Osborne says it’s all worth it when you see the transformation of the park, and kids and their teams all pulling together for one common goal.

First and second place finishers in each of the 40 events this weekend will qualify for the national competition which takes place May 26th and 27th on the Copper River in Camden, New Jersey.