Long Lake Rowing heads to Florida for championship

Long Lake Rowing Club was proud to compete in the 2024 US Rowing Youth National Championships on June 6-9 in Sarasota, Florida. National titles in 41 boat classes were up for grabs in this National regatta. This year’s youth nationals was the largest ever with 854 boats from 225 clubs across the country bringing in just over 4,000 athletes to Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla.

Long Lake Rowing Crew sent three boats to this regatta and had an impressive showing including:

• Lilianna Magnuson (Minnetonka 12th) and Nora Redding (Orono 12th) were National Champions in the C Class of the Junior Women’s pair race with “open water” at the finish line meaning they won by more than a full boat length.

• Sebastian Osle (Minnetonka 10th) took 6th in the C Final of the U17 Men’s single event making him 22nd in the country in this tough category.

• The quad of Ava Illingworth (Wayzata 11th), Raina Hartman (Roosevelt 12th), Kenzie Rector (Chanhassen 11th), and Averie Zealley (Westonka 12th) finished 6th in the D Final of the Junior Women’s 4x event with an exciting push at the finish that left the LLRC team with a .03 second lead over the next competitor.

“It’s a joy to watch this squad compete. No matter how far the trip or how tough the conditions are, these athletes give their best every time. I’m proud to see them represent the program on a national stage.” said Coach Nicholas Miller.

LLRC youth rowers represent several area high schools, including Benilde-St. Margaret, Breck, Minnetonka, Orono, Providence, Wayzata, Chanhassen, Prior Lake, Roosevelt, Lakeville South and Westonka. During the summer, collegiate rowers also participate, and the club has a vibrant master’s program that serves adults from across the Twin Cities Metro.

Long Lake Rowing Crew is a volunteer-driven, non-profit club committed to expert instruction, personal and competitive achievement, and strives to enrich its members and the community through the sport of rowing. For more information, visit www.longlakerowing.org .