Sports

Port Rowing Strikes Gold This Summer

Ashley and Melissa Iannucci win Port Rowing's first national championship

Ashley and Melissa Iannucci won the first ever national championship for Port Rowing, taking first in the women's lightweight pair at the U.S. Club National Championships in Camden, N.J., in July.

The sister team will be heading to Fairfield University to continue their rowing careers in college, leaving a gold stamp on the growing program.

Last year, Port Rowing sent just one team to the second round of the nationals  and went home early — this year was a different story.

In Jersey, the team sent 11 teams to the semifinals and six teams to the national finals. At nationals, Port Rowing recorded two medals: a third in lightweight men's 8.

The impressive showing at nationals capped a year in which the team made great strides. The modified Port Rowing team of 40 fared well in three major events this summer season.

At the Independence Day Regatta in Philadelphia, the team competed against high school and college teams with five Port Rowing boats earned finals berths in the three-day regatta. 

The last regatta of the season took the team to Canada to the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catherines on Lake Ontario. It was the first international competition or many of the rowers. At the seven-day event, the team sent seven teams to the semifinals and four teams to the finals with a top finish of fifth in the men's U19 eight category.

"The team took huge strides and looks forward to a great fall season," said Steve Panzik, Port Rowings executive director and coach. "This year's senior class is the first to go four years through the program and were part of the inaugural team."

High School Season starts Sept. 3 and Middle School season start Sept. 16. No experience necessary. For registration and other information, go online to www.portrowing.com


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