Regional Rivals Race Top 10 Crews
at White Rock Invite Regatta
On November 20th, Dallas rowing rivals Dallas United Crew (DUC), Jesuit Preparatory College, and White Rock Rowing faced off against visiting crew, Chicago Rowing Foundation (CRF). With exemplary results at USRowing’s 2021 Youth National Regatta, including three top 10 finishes in rowing’s fastest boats, Chicago elevated the competition for local crews.
Christening a temporarily installed seven-lane racecourse at White Rock Lake and coming off of head-race training, where crews row longer, 5,000-meter distances, the teams kicked off sprint training with 1,000-meter races -- half the distance that will decide the national championship. CRF brought only their top crews, while local clubs DUC, Jesuit and White Rock fielded multiple boats. Heats leveled the finals, sorting the fastest crews into head-to-head racing. CRF was the crew to beat, and they won each of the Varsity races, leaving local contenders to fight for second place; DUC answered the call.
Showing how they earned four, consecutive USRowing Central Region Eights titles, DUC’s Varsity Girls commanded seven-second leads over White Rock in both the eights and fours.
The Varsity Boys races were hotly contested. In the eights, DUC followed CRF with a one-second lead over Jesuit and a time of 3:26 to Jesuit’s 3:27; White Rock was a distant 3:31.20. Jesuit opted out of the fours event. White Rock is more competitive in the smaller boats. Vying for local bragging rights, it was neck-and-neck for DUC’s and White Rock’s top fours. They finished less than a second apart with DUC in the lead.
In the Junior Varsity (JV) and Novice events, DUC’s Boys JV eight took first place, besting Jesuit and White Rock. DUC’s Novice Boys Eight overwhelmed the field, leading them by two lenghts, and the DUC Novice Girls Eight trailed White Rock by just two seats for second place.
“Across the board we were pleased with our final Fall competition. All of our boats finished ahead of our regional competitors which is a great set up as we head into the winter months.” assessed DUC Head Coach and Program Director, Steve Perry.
Do you know a teen who would like to try rowing? DUC will offer a two-day rowing clinic December 18th and 19th for those new to the sport. No prior rowing experience is expected. (On average, collegiate rowers started their sport at age 14.) With 22 regional rowing titles and 60 collegiate recruits since 2012, DUC coaches show kids how to turn possibility into passion. Register now to get started!