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Y Quad Cities Rowing

YMCA QC Rowers First 2020 Scrimmage amidst COVID-19

September 21, 2020

Over the weekend, 20 participants from the Y Quad Cities Junior Rowing team traveled to Madison, Wisconsin for a scrimmage with regional rival, Camp Randall Rowing Club.

1,500 meter races took place on Lake Monona in single-person boats. There was also a mixed family double event at the end of the day. Because of COVID-19, this was the club's first on-water competition with another team since the Head of the Hooch Regatta on November 3rd, 2019. For 8 team members, this was their very first on-water race experience.

Erin Morley took first place in the Girls Novice single in a time of 7:27.3. She was followed by teammates Ela Ersan in second, Olivia Meskan in third, Sarah Brewer in fifth, and Emily Johnson in sixth.  

In the Boy's Open Single, four Y Quad cities boys qualified for what turned out to be a contested and controversial event. Tristan Wakefield took first with a time of 6:05.8. Nikhil Ramaraju came officially in third place, but there was dispute over the accuracy of the finish line and it is possible he may have taken second. Willam Sharis took fourth, and Keval Wagher took fifth.

In the Girl's Open Single, recent program alumnus Taylor English crossed the finish line first with a time of 7:00.1. She is currently training with the Y’s program while her new Stanford team is locked out due to COVID-19 restrictions. Ella Saunders was second and placed first overall among Junior athletes with a time of 7:13.8. Other team finishes included Elizabeth Tessen who came in third, Sophia Ramaraju in fourth, and Hayden Evans in fifth.

In the final event of the day there were two flights of mixed family doubles. In the first flight the pairing of James and Erin Morley took first place with Hayden and Brady Evans coming in second. The second flight was won by Nikhil and Sophia Ramaraju followed by Tristan Wakefield and his Mother, Kimberly, taking second place.

“All in all the trip was a success, and the program received much praise and thanks from Camp Randall parents, athletes, and coaches,“ said Y QC Rowing Assistant Coach Nick D’Imperio. “We would like to thank Camp Randall Rowing Club for being such gracious hosts, and managing the regatta operation, and look forward to hosting them for our leg of our fall home series on the Sylvan Slough on Saturday, October 3rd.