Mustang Rowers Finish Strong Season

In their seventh season, Medford High rowers finished strong. After winning the Boys and Girls Greater Boston League Championships in April, Mustang rowers went on to their strongest season yet.

On May 5, Medford High School hosted its first regatta, the Mayor’s Cup Invitational. At that race, Mustang women rowers won the Women’s Varsity-8 race and Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn presented the Mayor’s Cup to them. On May 19 at the Moose on the Malden, Medford rowers finished top three in five races. And finally at the Massachusetts Public Schools Rowing Association Championships on May 26, Medford rowers won gold in girls single and double sculling. The Boys Varsity 2nd Varsity-4 Boat won silver and the Boys Varsity 4 Boat won bronze.

In a first for the team, Medford High School rowers earned two places in the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championships. Teams earn points through wins at regattas throughout the season. The Boys 2nd Varsity-4 and the Girls Varsity-4 earned places through winning or placing in qualifying races during the season. At the NEIRA race, both women and men rowed hard on the 1500-meter course; in final results boys had the 15th fastest time in New England and the girls had 17th fastest time in New England. This was Medford Rowing’s first regional race and all the athletes performed well, especially given rowing conditions that day which involved wind and pouring rain.

The success of the Mustang rowers can be credited to the hard work of these student athletes and the involvement of the coaches. Head Men’s Coach Edward McCormick and Head Women’s Coach Nick Wright both have extensive experience as coaches in New England and nationally. This year, Assistant Coach Aaron Manes joined the team to coach the novice men. The experience and commitment of these coaches has led the 70-member team of Mustang rowers through a successful season. Coach Edward McCormick attributes the strong season to the dedication of the rowers and strong senior leadership.

“The success of Medford Rowing program was due to the strong leadership of our Senior class and a hunger to be the best from every athlete within the program,” said Coach McCormick.

All the coaches and many of the rowers look forward to being back to row in the fall.

– Information and photos from Julia Hendrix