New Trier Rowing kicks off the Fall season in Milwaukee

New Trier High School Rowing showed depth and speed at its first regatta of the fall season, the Milwaukee River Challenge on September 21.

New Trier took first place in the Men’s Junior 8+, the Men’s Junior 4+ and the Women’s Junior 4+, and took second in Women’s Junior 8+ events.

The race was held on a three-mile river course that winds through downtown Milwaukee, presenting unusual challenges for crews as they work to navigate through “no passing zones” and under numerous bridges in addition to a tight 90-degree turn about halfway through the course. The Milwaukee River Challenge features a "Head Race" format, which is typical in fall rowing. Boats start at rolling intervals and are ranked based on the time it takes for them to finish the course.

Despite bad weather that rolled in late in the competition, forcing the cancellation of some races, New Trier’s fast finishes were “a solid show of our depth and top end speed,” said Varsity Boys Coach Nate Kelp-Lenane.

Boys 1V rower Colin Glew said his crew turned in a strong performance despite having some rowers missing, as did the Girls crew. Despite obstacles such as the narrow width of the river in some parts, making it difficult to pass, “the rowers did a great job of staying calm under pressure, and getting back in the groove after setbacks,” said Janey Mateka, coxswain and Girls’ co-captain.

“Overall, every boat competed very well, and the experienced gained by all is invaluable as we move into more head races,” said Rose Marchuk, New Trier rowing’s Program Director, Head Coach and Varsity Girls Coach.