The schoolgirl quad is the epitome of the schoolgirl sculling scene. The boat class provides an opportunity to showcase the talent of those schools that may have smaller programs. The squad’s success is driven by teamwork and a collaborative culture. This year, seasoned veterans will join some new faces. Many schools have multiple entries of quite even combinations, creating undoubtedly exciting racing.
Kinross Wolaroi School
Kinross Wolaroi School have been a formidable force in the schoolgirl quad in recent years. This weekend, the school is set to race three boats in this class, with crew members comprising different combinations of seasoned and younger athletes. What is assumed to be the school’s highest-calibre entry includes the likes of Seale and Wong, who claimed the national title for this boat class last season. The boat’s remaining members are not short of experience; Reidy returns after winning the Y10 schoolgirl eight at the national championship earlier this year, with Staniforth providing sculling experience after claiming a title in the second schoolgirl quad at the most recent Head of the River. Other considerable names in additional crews from Kinross include the likes of Wilkin, who claimed a medal in the event at the Schoolgirls Head of the River last season alongside a win in the schoolgirl four at state champs. She may combine with other members of the program’s national-winning Y10 schoolgirl eight: Leigo, Tancred and Mason. Under the guidance of two-times NSW schoolgirl coach of the year Andrew Gannon, all three Kinross crews are set to provide significant competition for their city counterparts.
St Catherines School
St Catherine’s School, hailing from Sydney’s eastern suburbs, has been a force to be reckoned with in the schoolgirl eight in recent years, claiming the Australian title for the event in the last two years. This regatta sees the return of four members of the schools first eight, with Baker, Stiger, Yardely and Steed providing experience to their respective boats. Furthermore, the school’s sculling experience doesn’t fall short as they look to reclaim their title in this boat class at this regatta, with Baker acting as the only returning member of last season’s crew. Other members of their respective crews have also demonstrated success in previous years eight divisions last season. All three entries from St Caths show strong potential, with their top crew in serious contention for the gold.
Redlands
Redlands School are set to be underdogs, with near misses for medals in previous years motivating this crop. The key contenders from ‘Over the Bridge’ show an impressive skillset and depth in the art of sculling, fielding an impressive four crews. Two members from the first quad are returning; Hwang and Polok both narrowly missed out on a medal in the boat class at last season’s Schoolgirl Head of the River. Combinations seen within crews have tasted the potential of gold, with Hwang and Hugman finishing second in the Y11 double last year at the independent school’s regatta. This same combination competed in the quad at last year’s event and despite their performance not being one of medal contention, none of the crews between them and first return. This grants them a significant advantage in terms of crew experience.
Notable Mentions
The range of programs featured in this year’s event will make for an intense battle for our front runners. Newcastle Grammar School’s combination of Smart and Boyle return after claiming the win in the B-final last year alongside success as a double. The Armidale School has been an up-and-coming force in the rowing scene for some time, with Inglis and Buntine competing in the SG double last year at the Head of the River. MLC School’s combination showed potential, with Hu and Beaton claiming a bronze in the Y10 category of the event at last year’s Head of the River. The other crew members of Winnall and Ng have also shown potential for success, both medalling in their respective sculling boats. Additionally, the quads from Wenona, PLC Sydney and Monte Sant’ Angelo, all show experience, with at least two crew members having competed together before.
Prediction
The strength of Kinross Wolaroi is nearly unmatched in this boat class, and thus, I have little doubt in their capabilities to win. St Catherine’s will likely provide hot competition but are unlikely to pip last year’s national champions, landing them in second place. Third will also be hotly contested, although the breadth of the Redland’s squad gives them an exciting opportunity as the underdog to claim third.
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