Despite being just 15-16 this event hosts number plus athletics already with international vests truly demonstrating the vast talent within this age group. There are 27 scullers expected to take part this weekend in what could be one of the most exciting events of the weekend.
L.Saunders- Evesham rowing club 383
Saunders is a very capable and experienced sculler appearing to have been practically unbeaten in her two seasons we’ve seen her compete in her single. At Brit champs last year leah took home gold by over 5 seconds, with the second place sculler not set to return this year Saunders will definitely be after her title once more. Furthermore she has demonstrated her talent by being selected for the GB vs France match and beating the strong French sculler by 11 seconds. Showing she is not just a force to be reckoned with in the uk but internationally too.
M.Bentley- Molesey Boat club 381
Bentley has also proved herself to be a successful sculler this season, at national schools regatta at the start of the season she managed to win a gold medal in the WJ162x she has also been able to establish herself in the WJ184x which qualified for Henley royal regatta and has been one of the standout crews this season. I’m the single Bentley placed 4th at junior sculling regatta so she will be working to step up from that and medal this weekend.
A.Merritt- Henley rowing club 382
Whilst little is known about Merritt in the individual scene, she has been extremely successful within the Henley rowing clubs dominant season claiming gold at national schools in the WJ168+ and winning the WJ164+ at Henley women regatta. As with all the members of HRC I’m sure she will be very much competitive amongst the field and pushing for a medal this weekend, it will be interesting to see how she has managed the change from scull to sweep.
A.Vicars- Tideway Scullers School 384
Vicars has also had a successful season rowing in the WJ164x for scullers placing 6th at national schools regatta and 9th at Henley womens regatta. At the Junior Inter Regional regatta in April, Vicars claimed the bronze medal in her single representing Thames London. Showing good promise in crew boats and individual scene I will not be surprised to see this sculler in the A final.
K.Batchelor- Shanklin Sandown 385
From the Isle of Wight, Batchelor has had a very exciting season culminating in being selected for the B single at the GB vs France match. At national schools she placed 10th in the WJ181x which is a huge achievement considering the standard of entries. Batchelor will be chasing a medal this weekend off the back of her successful season so far and will be interesting to see how she stacks up against the fastest scullers in the country.
K.Coates- Agecroft RC 393
Despite not being from a large club, Agecroft always churn out some of the top scullers in the UK and I’m sure Coates is no different. At Henley women’s she places 10th in the WJ181x showing her experience in this boat type. Another highlight would include her selection im for the J16 GB camp which is designed to further improve sculling performance. Off the back of this is will be exciting how she will fair this weekend.
I think it will be very close this weekend between each of the scullers my predictions for top 3 would be…
1- L.Saunders (Evesham Rowing Club)
2- A.Merritt (Henley Rowing Club)
3- K.Batchelor (Shanklin Sandown)
However I believe the racing will be tight and I think it’s any scullers opportunity to take the top spots this weekend.
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