With Schools’ Head being the first big event for the WJ16 8+ this year, raced over the 4.5-mile Championship course, it is a chance for these crews to show what they can do. And while many of them may have raced at WEHORR, this is the first time they can see exactly where they stand against other J16 crews in the country. Every crew will want to be the first to win a major event and it will be a fight all the way to the Putney finish line to see who will go home with the coveted pink ribboned medal.
Surbiton High School
Surbiton HS have been dominant so far this season, having won all of their events so far, probably helped by the incredible depth they have in their squad at the J16 level. Surbiton were last year’s Schools’ Head winners so they will want to reclaim their title this year and will definitely be the ones to beat with their 10-second lead last time we were out on the Tideway.
Aberdeen Schools’ Rowing Association
Aberdeen Schools’ RA is a club known for producing rowers of a very high standard and I’m sure this WJ16 8+ will be no different. It is the first time we’ve seen them on the Tideway this season so they are definitely a wildcard who could potentially disrupt Surbiton’s winning streak but chasing them down will be no easy feat.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
Another crew to watch will be LEH who have a well-built squad, proven by their excellent results so far this season. They produced a good result at Hampton Head, finishing only five seconds behind Surbiton and I look forward to seeing what they can produce throughout the rest of the year.
Latymer Upper School
Latymer Upper School has consistently placed in the top 5 of both the heads that they have attended so far this year and so could be ones to keep an eye on this Schools’ Head to potentially clench the third place spot. They have their main competitor LEH chasing them down, a sight that will no doubt push them on all the way to the finish.
Prediction
I believe that Surbiton will clinch the win this weekend as they have shown that they are a very dominant J16 crew so far this season. They will be followed closely by ASRA with Latymer and LEH fighting for the 3rd place spot. I think Wallingford will complete the top 5, but due to there being a separate category for the WJ16 2nd eights the complete finish order is hard to predict.
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