End of the Year Barbecue Big Success

The end of the year barbecue at Row New York is one of my all time favorite days. The racing season is behind us and it is a day to celebrate, eat, embrace our graudates who are home from college, laugh, and applaud the girls on their many successes. We also invite the families to try rowing. I always love watching the younger siblings climb into the barges and take direction from their big sisters (see picture). Congratulations to the Row NY girls and staff on a tremendous spring season!

Row NY Fall Event is September 16th, 2010!

Kate & Karry Calderon Speak at New York Women's Foundation Event

Two of our outstanding seniors brought a crowd of 2,300 people to their feet in applause at the annual New York Women's Foundation breakfast on May 13th.

The event honored singer/song writer Mary J. Blige; Founder and CEO of EILEEN FISHER, Inc. Eileen Fisher and Social Justice Advocate and Executive Director of Grand Street Settlement, Margarita Rosa. CNN Anchor and Special Correspondent Soledad O’Brien was the emcee. 



Kate and Karry gave an inspiring speech about perseverance and teamwork and the many lessons they have learned through rowing, not the least of which is to never give up. They will be headed to Queens College and Bryn Mawr College in the fall.

The sisters are pictured here with Mary J. Blige.

RNY WINS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

It wasn't a good weekend for rowing, but after rain, mud, hail, and 35 mph wind gusts, the Row New York squad left Saratoga Springs on Sunday with a smile- and a state championship. The Novice Four of Claudia DiMaio, Abre Bokhari, Emma Buford, Shannon McCann, and Sophie Mitropoulos raced down the course in 6:12, ten seconds ahead of the nearest boat, to win Row New York its first States cup.

This wasn't a solo performance. All around, RNY boats represented the program at a highly competitive level. The novice eight, without the help of the championship four oarswomen, pushed down the course to finish 13th of 33- the fourth fastest club. The second varsity four made the state semi-final of the first varsity four event, and the third varsity four was just a second off of qualifying. After going through some growing pains in the fall, a first varsity boat with four first-time members battled to take the bronze medal by one second, representing the third medal in the event in as many years.

In the process, the glass ceiling is starting to break for RNY crews at this level: a state championship; medals in multiple events; lower boats qualifying for first boat semis. With the core of most of these crews returning, the future looks bright.

And even beyond the results, there was something magical about the weekend. In a sport where fortunes are often crushed by near misses, it was inspiring to see possibility transform into reality. All season, we have won the small battles, and in fighting and succeeding, we feel closer then ever.

Row New York Medals at Long Island Championships

Last weekend yielded very solid results by Row New York at the Long Island Championship Regatta. Highlights include:

1. The Novice Four earned a silver medal, defeating Our Lady of Mercy, McGann Mercy, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, St. Anthony, Rumson, Riverhead, Nutley, South Jersey, Long Island, Huntington, and St. John the Baptist.

2. Six different boats made it to the Grand Final, a very noble accomplishment at such a competitive regatta. These included the Novice Four mentioned above, the Novice Eight, the Varsity Four, the Second Varsity Four, the Varsity Eight, and the Junior Four.

3. The Varsity Eight took back the "Duck" with open water from Bayshore, finishing fifth at the Grand Final with Bayshore in sixth place (Notable also: our Second Novice Eight beat Bayshore's First Novice Eight).

4. The Second Varsity Four made it to the Grand Final of the Varsity Four event, meaning that our second-fastest four is significantly faster than many teams' fastest four.

We are excited about the speed shown last weekend and look forward to seeing how we stack up at the upcoming New York State Championship!

Thanks to Danny Phelps and Michael Smith for Riding for Row NY!

Special thanks to Mike and Danny for raising money for Row New York during the Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday. These two braved the heat to raise over $800 for Row New York and donations are still coming in! And, of course, thanks to the following people for supporting Mike and Danny (and Row NY!):

Maggie Murphy
Wenying Huang-Stolte
Linda Grasso
Ginger Smith
Xin Bai and family
Maggie Kotuk
Alycia Miller
Alexandra Saghir
Cara Younger
Maggie Lovatt
Clyde Phelps