A history-making season ended in disappointment for the women of Winter Park Crew as their return to the Henley Royal Regatta ended with an early loss to Australian national champions, St. Catherine’s School. The team fell by 2.5 lengths in their July 4th heat but despite the outcome, Winter Park Head Girls Coach Mike Vertullo had nothing but praise for the effort and the opposing team.
“The girls felt like it was a great race, but this is a sport where you can’t play defense,” he told the32789 as the team remained at Henley to cheer on their peers in the remaining races. “St. Catherine’s is extremely well coached and a class act in victory.”
Team Winter Park continues to ride the wave of its third-straight championship win at the 2024 Scholastic Rowing Association of America Nationals in May. This year’s Women’s Varsity 8 – made up of seniors Stella Xu (coxswain), Delaney Brinton (co-captain), Reilly Harris (co-captain), and Kennedy Narine; juniors Ava Gormley, Helena Scherr, and Audriana Greene; and sophomores Jill Schnitker and Nadia Davidson – was the first in SRAA history to three-peat the title and were hyped for their third-straight year competing for The Prince Philip Challenge Trophy at Henley.
“Henley was an amazing trip with an incredible group of girls,” said co-captain Reilly Harris. “I’m so proud of what our team has accomplished this season and we got the chance to meet and train with some of the best crews in the world. None of this would have been possible without the bond between our teammates, our supporters, and our coach.”
Crew athletes maintain a strict six-day-per-week training schedule during the season and continue training on England’s River Thames for two weeks before the Henley matches begin, but practice and preparation are only part of what it takes to make it to the regatta. Travel and housing costs are met through fundraising events organized by Crew Boosters of Winter Park, Inc. and an entourage of family and friends cheer them on from the stands. Back home in the states, supporters follow online reports and watch live YouTube broadcasts while texting and posting words of encouragement. And the support continues during the matches as respect and sportsmanship are a cornerstone of the Henley experience.
“There’s great support and a lot of respect between the teams,” said Vertullo, who considers competing at Henley to be the highlight of his coaching career. “Each year is getting more competitive and we will need to improve in all aspects of athletics and coaching if we want to return.”
The next season begins in August and the team will post updates on social media and the Winter Park Crew website.
