National Schools’ Regatta 2019 – Championship Girls Single Scull

Arguably, the single scull is the event where we see unprecedented grit and unrivalled strength. 2km never feels like it’s over quickly or easily however, in the single it can be even more challenging- the outcome comes down to the work of one person. There is nowhere to hide, no other to comfort you on the way to the starting blocks, no crew mate to pick you up with a vital call mid-race. Yet, when you hear the finish buzzer go, the pride in knowing in what you have just achieved makes it all worthwhile. This Internationals Cup will not only be won by the girl with the most strength but also the sculler with outstanding technique and finesse.

There are 48 individuals entered and prepared to charge their way down the course at Dorney lake, for the time trial. With such vast entries and countless scullers, who have never faced each other before, it is difficult to know how some girls will deal with the pressure. Here are some of the girls to watch, but as always, never doubt the possibility of a surprise feature on the podium.  

Leicester Rowing Club 

Lauren Henry has made an immense stamp on the junior rowing scene, having become the girl for everyone to beat, after a fantastic string of results. At the April GB Assessment, Henry came out on the top, beating her nearest opposition (Morgan) by 6 seconds, which led to her selection for the Munich Regatta. Here, she raced alongside Morgan in the double and quad, where they claimed two medals. Despite her international racing success in crew boats, Henry excels in the single scull and it will be a challenge for anyone to knock her off the top spot. 

Glasgow Academy RC 

Anna Buchanan has been the leading junior women’s sculler in Scotland this season, at the Scottish Rowing Spring Regatta she won the WRes1 single in 8 minutes 35 seconds, ahead of athletes from various universities and Megan Hewison, from Aberdeen School’s Rowing Association, who is also entered at NSR. This Glasgow Academy rower has also proven herself on the national stage on many occasions, in December she attended the GB potential camp, in Spain, following early ID trials and more recently placed 6^th at the April assessment; putting her in high contention for a GB vest this summer. 

Shiplake College Boat Club  

Olivia Morgan looks to be in a very strong position going into the National Schools’ Regatta. Morgan raced for Great Britain at the international regatta in Munich this year, where she brought home an outstanding silver and a bronze medal for her country; in the double and quad events. Similarly, at the Junior World Championships last summer, the Shiplake athlete came across the line in 5^th position. It is no surprise that she placed 2^nd at the GB April Trial, with a time of 7:43 and therefore a medal at Dorney is certainly in her grasp; what colour will it be? 

Aberdeen School’s Rowing Association  

The previously mentioned; Megan Hewision, of ASRA is not to be overlooked. Despite falling short of the victory at Strathclyde Park a month ago, Hewison claimed her second international vest at the Munich regatta, after also racing- in the blue of Scotland, at the Home International Regatta last summer. In Germany, Hewison was part of GB’s sweep contingent, since she placed 2^nd at GB trials in April, in the pair, alongside fellow ASRA rower; Abigail Topp.  

Warrington RC 

Warrington are one of the leading rowing clubs in the country for sculling and so it is no surprise that Ella Stanhope is as successful as she is. At the most recent GB trials, she was a little off the pace of the likes of Henry, Morgan and Buchanan but nonetheless 22^nd place was enough to see her to travel to Munich.  

Bedford Modern School 

Jessica Read, had an outstanding result at GB April trials, finishing 3^rd- which should give her confidence ahead of the premier junior competition; the National Schools’ Regatta. Read won the C final at the Munich Regatta in the double, then went on to take 3^rd in the A final of the quad. It would be great to see her push for a place higher than third and put pressure on Henry- in order to create very quick times. 

In terms of the single scull, GB trials are the best results to look at, in order to try to gage who will claim the Internationals Cup. However, this doesn’t mean that any of the other girls racing, that I have not mentioned, could not have a breakthrough performance. 

Prediction:

1. Lauren Henry (Leicester RC)
2. Olivia Morgan (Shiplake)
3. Jessica Read (Bedford Modern School)

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