Medals galore for Stratford rowers

CREWS and coaches from King Edward VI School and Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club travelled in strength to last Saturday’s highly competitive Wycliffe College Small Boats Head, raced over two-and-a-half kilometres on the Sharpness Canal.

Yet again, formidable performances from the two clubs ramped up their reputations amongst rowing schools and clubs from the western side of the country: KES boys’ and girls’ coxed four crews (4+) collected one gold and two silver medals after superb tussles with the leading athletes from Royal Shrewsbury School.

The Women’s 4+ (Victoria Ward, Victoria Brennan, Abigail Smith, Gabrielle Walker and cox Shruti Chaudry) from Stratford earned gold and bronze medals in the Novice and Senior Women’s events respectively.

Gold winners in the girls’ J16 4+ and silver in the 4x- were Lara Davis, Ellie Gray, Issy Marsden, Maddy Winsper coxed by Robin Connolly and Maddy Winsper, Lauren Willis, Libby Dwyer and Maddie Griffiths respectively whilst the J15 girls, Emily Browne and Autumn Keil, were gold and bronze medallists in their single sculls event

A great performance by the Women’s Novice 4x team of Theo Mordaunt, Clare Teakle, Sofia Ward and Maddie Griffiths delivered a silver medal whilst other bronze medal winners were Joseph Hodson (J15 1x) and Gracie Mitchell with Emily Browne in the girls’ J15 2x.

Although not medalling at this event, there were huge performances and commitment from Maiya James, Mya Kenny, Nixie Brunt, Jasmine Mountney and Sophie Neville in the WJ14 4x+, Dan Cox and Max Griffiths in J14 2x and Gracie Mitchell, Katie Philips, Jess Wiesheu, Katie Wellstead and Mimi Hill in WJ15 4x+.

Also worthy of note was the J15 2x of Fred Tyler, rowing up a year, to partner Joe Hodson and 16-year-old Lara Davies racing against 18-year-olds in the single sculls.