LOWELL, MASS. — Megunticook Rowing Loonies delivered an outstanding performance at the 46th Annual Textile River Regatta on Sunday, October 5, making a strong impression across both junior and masters races on the 4500 meter race course down the Merrimack River. It’s a big race: 67 races with 374 entries and well over 600 competitors. 

Despite contending with challenging water conditions over the past few weeks of training, Megunticook’s junior athletes rose to the occasion. 

Laura Riordan and Tucker Beynart claimed second place in the Women’s Jr. double, finishing 45 seconds over the third place team.

Lucy Morgenstern and Grace Doolen finished third in the Women’s Jr double under 17 with a 13 second lead over fourth place.

The masters squad turned in particularly impressive results. Will Schaetzke finished fourth in the Men’s Masters single; Hugh Brock (President of Megunticook Rowing) finished sixth and Jake Roux finished fifth in the Men’s Jr. single.

Assistant Coach Cabot Adams came in second in the Men’s Open Single, making him the fastest male at Megunticook Rowing. All demonstrated skill and determination, hallmarks of Megunticook Rowing athletes.

Two novice rowers, Emma Wendt and Gwen Yaeger, finished first and second in the Women’s Masters Novice single representing a bright future for the club.

In addition, Megunticook’s Mixed Quad finished with commanding style. Hugh Brock, Amy Dyer, Will Schaetzke and Meredith Currier passed three boats leaving the field in their wake by more than a minute in raw time, setting a high bar for the competition and excitement for future races.

The Womens Masters 4+ of Marnie Read, Sarah Kuhn, Leslie Forand and Amy Mitchell performed admirably with Jake Roux in the cox seat steering and guiding them on. 

The day’s achievements were buoyed by the energy, ringing of cow bells and support of the Megunticook Rowing’s Junior parents’ committee. Their visible encouragement from the shore and the outstanding food at the team tent kept spirits high. Special thanks go to Jennifier and Fabrice Roux of Union, Maine’s Alsace restaurant, who brought their pizza oven and served up celebratory tarte flambee for all involved.

“We are exceptionally proud of the resilience and teamwork our athletes showed today,” said Bob van Twyver, coach of Megunticook Rowing, in a news release. “Their hard work, both on and off the water, continues to elevate our club.”

Next up for the Junior Loonie Team is theNew Hampshire Championships George Dirth Memorial Regatta, this year held on October 12. It is the largest New England rowing event north of Boston and is hosted by Amoskeag Rowing Club at Memorial Park in Pembroke, New Hampshire.

The regatta is a three-mile head race that starts upriver and finishes at the park. The NHCR attracts over 2,000 athletes rowing nearly 400 sculling and sweep boats.The Masters will have the weekend at home practicing for the Head of the Charles Regatta, October 17-19. 

About Megunticook Rowing

Megunticook Rowing is a 501c3 organization based in Camden. The mission is to strengthen minds, bodies and community through rowing. Since 2008, the program has grown from a handful of dedicated rowers with a couple of donated shells, to an organization that sends high school aged and masters rowers to in-state regattas and Boston’s Head of the Charles.

Practices for high school aged kids start at 3:45 p.m. Financial aid is available. Many junior rowers have gone on to compete in Division 1 college and university programs. Just as important are the Club and the Masters programs that receive expert coaching to develop skills and a lifetime love of rowing. Come row with us!