CAMDEN — Megunticook Rowing will host the Dirigo Sprints Invitational Junior Championship Regatta, also known as the Dirigo Sprints, on Saturday, May 23, at Barrett’s Cove on Megunticook Lake.

Racing begins at 8:30 a.m. with a Mixed 8 event, and the final race is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.

The Dirigo Sprints were established several years ago to bring regional rowing teams together to compete for the championship title and trophy. This year’s regatta will feature defending champions Waynflete of Portland and host club Megunticook Rowing, along with Maine Coast Rowing Association of Brunswick and Neponset Rowing Club of Milton, Massachusetts.

These high school athletes have trained intensively throughout the spring, making the Dirigo Sprints the culminating event of the varsity rowing season. The season began with a chilly start at the May 3 Mayor’s Cup in Medford, Massachusetts, where Megunticook crews delivered strong performances. Tucker Beynart, Grace Doolen, Lucy Morgenstern, and Laura Riordan captured gold with a decisive victory over MidCoast Racing.

The novice mixed four crew of Molly Gill, Avery Gobin, Natasha Heller, and Vivian Anderson, with Laura Riordan as coxswain, made an impressive debut. After qualifying for the B final, they faced a challenging race that included mid-course interference but still secured a bronze medal by a boat length.

The following weekend, the team competed at the Amber Zapatka Memorial Regatta on the Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts. Doubles crews performed strongly across multiple events. Avery Gobin and Jack Heller raced well in a competitive field, while Tucker Beynart and Laura Riordan earned a silver medal in the women’s double final, finishing 15 seconds faster than their time trial. Natasha Heller and Vivian Anderson gained valuable experience in the Under-17 event, while Jake Roux placed third in the men’s junior competition.

So it all comes down to this Saturday. Fourteen events, thirty-eight entries from four teams will compete for the Dirigo Sprints trophy.  It’s a 1500 meter sprint for events in doubles, quads, fours, and eights.

Spectators are encouraged to watch from the Route 52 boat launch. Bring your cowbells and fog horns to show your support!

For more information: www.megunticookrowing.org  row@megunticookrowing.org

Megunticook Rowing is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The mission of Megunticook Rowing is to strengthen minds, bodies, and community through rowing. Since Megunticook Rowing’s inception, hundreds of rowers have enjoyed getting on the water with us. We continue to realize the dream of our founders, value the significance of our stewardship of Megunticook Lake, and appreciate the lifelong benefits of rowing.

Megunticook Rowing thanks the following sponsors: A.E. Sampson, Adventure Advertising, Allen Insurance and Financial, American Flatbread, Camden Classics Cup, Camden Coast Real Estate, Camden National Bank, Cascade Foundation, Cold Mountain Builders, Down East Magazine, Hamilton Marine, Horch Roofing, Lyman-Morse, Maine State Credit Union, Northeast Rowing Center, Page Gallery, R. M. Davis, Salt Wharf Restaurant and Wallace Tents.