AJRA Varsity Women Lindsay Sackellares and Sarah Waye have been named to US Rowing Association’s 2010-11 Scholastic Honor Roll.  In addition, Emma Murray received Honorable Mention recognition.The US Rowing Scholastic Honor Roll recognizes high school seniors who have excelled in both academics and rowing.  Applicants must be US Rowing members, have rowed or served as coxswain at least one year, and successfully competed at or above the league or regional level.  This is the 20^th year of the award.  US Rowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the US Olympic Committee as the governing body of the sport of rowing in the United States.  The US Rowing Youth Advisory Committee selected the winners based on a numerical ranking of their grades in core academic classes, ACT or SAT scores, and class rank, if applicable.

For the first time in its history, AJRA sent four boats to Boston to compete in the Head of the Charles — the largest and one of the most prestigious regattas in the world.  The event featured more than 9,000 rowers from 19 counties competing over a two-day period along a course lined with spectators.   The youth events were held on Sun., Oct. 23 under cloudy skies but relatively mild weather conditions. 

AJRA rowers competed among an international field in four events and represented the club extremely well.  Varsity Women 4+ placed 28th among 76 boats, and the Varsity Women 8+ placed 28th of 70 boats.  The Varsity Men 4+ earned 64th among 74 boats, and the Varsity Men 8+ placed 48th of 76 boats. 

In addition, Varsity Women assistant coach Julie McQueen rowed in the Women Alumni Eights boat representing the University of Virginia which earned first place!

Get ready for the Secret City Head Race — AJRA’s second regatta of the fall season and first overnight trip.  Rowers will travel to Oak Ridge, TN on Fri., Oct. 29, for the regatta to be held on Sat., Oct. 30.  Oak Ridge is an awesome place to view a race because spectators are so close they can often see the rowers’ faces.  Come get a preview of this venue, which was recently named as the site of US Rowing’s Youth National Championships for 2011 and 2012.  All the details of the trip are in the Members Only section

The target date for opening online registration for AJRA spring programs for returning and new rowers on Varsity, Novice, and Developmental Squads is Dec. 1.  Updated information will be posted as soon as it is available.  Keep checking the website!

AJRA opened the fall rowing season by capturing seven medals at the Chattanooga Head Race on Oct. 9 — two golds, three silvers, and two bronze.  The best performing squad was the Varsity Women, who earned  first place finishes in both the 8+ and 4+ boats.  The Varsity Men 8+ placed 3rd.  Our Novice teams made an impressive showing in their first competitive regatta on a beautiful day in Chattanooga with unseasonably high temperatures.  The Novice Women 8+ took 3rd and the 4+ earned 2nd.  Novice Men placed 2nd in the 8+ and 2nd in the 4+.  Congratulations on a great start to the season.

Semifinalists in the 56th annual National Merit Scholarship Program were recently announced by Fulton and Cobb counties.  Three AJRA Varsity Women were among those selected in Fulton County:  Brooke Spreen (Northview High School) and Summer Cook and Lindsay Sackellares (Roswell High School).  Sarah Waye (Pope High School) and Emily Hornberger (Walton High School) were among those selected in Cobb County.  The students were identified through exceptionally high scores on the PSAT, which they took as juniors.  Congratulations!