On Saturday 23 February, our Junior and Intermediate Rowing squads journeyed south to the Barwon River in Geelong for the Firbank Regatta. Our Intermediates started the day strong with the Steven and Cross crews coming top two in their respective A Finals, the Gunn crew breaking four minutes for the first time and the debut of the Bernard crew, who had only commenced training two weeks prior.

Our Juniors, who raced in the afternoon session, continued to show significant improvement over their two races. This was evident in the fact that although only the Steven crew qualified for the A Final, many crews went on to win the B or C Finals in a time that would have been competitive in the A Final.

Congratulations to the following crews who won the A final of their respective divisions:

• 10 Cross – Sophie Williams (Year 10), Bridget Vogel-Paul (Year 10), Ellexi Fulton (Year 10), Tamsin Sleigh (Year 10) and Sophie Gorton (Year 10).
• 9 Steven – Eliza White (Year 9), Lucy Bainbridge (Year 9), Madeline Powell (Year 9), Arabella Llewelyn (Year 9) and Pia Zayontz (Year 9).

The following week on Saturday 2 March, the Junior and Intermediate Rowing squads returned to Geelong for the Junior State Championship Regatta. As the final regatta before the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta, this was an excellent opportunity for our girls to refine their race craft before the final two weeks of training.

Our Juniors, who were allocated the morning session, braved the early start time with racing commencing at 7.00am due to the expected heat later in the day. This regatta marked the first time the Kilbride and Spithill crews raced in racing boats. Most students rowing in these boats are British exchange students who picked up an oar for the first time only five weeks ago. It is to their credit, along with their coaches, that they have progressed so quickly in such a short period of time.

Once again, while only two of our nine crews qualified for the A Final, four of the remaining seven Junior crews achieved times in their respective B or C Finals that would see them being competitive in the A Final. This bodes well ahead of the Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta, where the initial draw is less influential on who progresses to the A Final.

Special thanks to Clarence Houle-O’Connor (Year 9) who stepped up to compete with another crew in addition to her own (at the last minute) to ensure they were able to race. Your cooperation and sportsmanship is commendable.

The St Catherine’s Junior Cross Crew racing.

Our Intermediates, who raced in the afternoon session, were confronted with high temperatures upon their arrival, with the mercury sitting at 32 degrees and rising. All crews were able to race their heat, with the Steven, Cross and Gunn crews qualifying for their respective A Final and continued improvement shown by the Bernard crew, for whom this was only their second regatta. Unfortunately, when it became clear that the heat would not abate, the decision was made to withdraw from the regatta. Other schools promptly followed suit, and shortly thereafter the regatta was cancelled due to a lack of competitors. Special mention to the entire Intermediates squad who got on with the job, despite the testing conditions.

Congratulations to the following crew who were the Bronze Medallists of their respective division:

• 9 Cross – Sarah Marriott (Year 9), Ika O’Halloran (Year 9), Annabelle Green (Year 9), Adelaide Mitchell (Year 9) and Summer Balla-Kellett (Year 9).

The Junior Cross Crew Bronze Medallists.

It is with great anticipation that both the Junior and Intermediate Rowing squads approach this weekend’s Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta. This is the culmination of many months of hard work, particularly the early morning starts. Any support would be greatly appreciated.

Go St Cath’s!