The National Schools’ Regatta is back for another edition. This year we see a repeat of the “no doubling up” scheme. This stops athletes from rowing in the quad on the Saturday to then split into smaller boats on the Sunday. Many were clearly disappointed with this decision as it doesn’t keep in tradition with past years, but the fierce competition is still very much present.
Windsor Boys School
Windsor are back and showing the depth of their squad, somehow entering into the double despite the obvious rules around doubling up. They have entries in the quad, second quad, double and two in the single, which is truly outstanding. In this double we see ex Hereford Cathedral sculler, Jack Cadwallader and Jacob Ioras. Jack, part of the prodigious gold medal-winning J16 quad from 2021, has taken the sport by storm. Jacob is entering this event off the back of an impressive gold medal at the Munich International Regatta. These two lads clearly have considerable pace on them and I won’t be surprised if they win the entire category.
Hereford Cathedral School
Hereford are a great example of frantic insurgency, emerging from near-obscurity to dominate junior 16 quads last season and qualify a crew into the Fawley Challenge Cup. These two J17 athletes are entered this weekend after a storming win at the recent Wallingford Regatta. The rivalry bubbling under between themselves and Windsor should be fascinating to watch unfold.
Weybridge Rowing Club
Weybridge don’t command the immediate recognition of some others on the circuit but when they do come out to play, we tend to expect strong results. These lads are one such example under the supervision of former British world champion Matt Tarrant. With this outstanding tutelage, this duo are coming into this weekend hot, having emerged victorious at the Junior Sculling Regatta a few weeks ago.
Molesey Boat Club
Moseley, a bastion of senior rowing, have entered many juniors into the regatta this weekend, with no clear spike across sculling or sweep. This double have obvious speed which is shown in their past results. They finished second at Wallingford Regatta and fourth at the Junior Sculling Regatta. With these amazing results, Moseley could snatch a medal on Sunday.
Warrington Rowing Club
Warrington, well-heralded for producing a slew of talented athletes throughout the past decade, have a widespread entry this weekend. With two female quads on Friday, a senior girls quad on the Saturday and then this boys double on the Sunday, there is plenty of opportunity for silverware to make the journey back up north. The crew comprises Quin Dunne and ex Queen’s Park High School sculler, James Cox; they finished in the top six at both Wallingford and the Junior Sculling Regatta which means these lads could even snatch a medal after two weeks of tough training. Their boat-built synergy should play strongly on Sunday and they’re a good outside bet for a medal.
Prediction
With quite a fast J17 turnout in this category, there could be some surprising results. I feel the top spot is a very easy decision, but the later placings can be hard to predict.
1st – Windsor Boys School
2nd – Hereford Cathedral School
3rd – Moseley Boat Club
4th – Weybridge Rowing Club
5th – Warrington Rowing Club
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