During the holidays, a group of Somerset rowers took part in the 2024 Queensland Schools’ Championship Regatta, held at the stunning Wyaralong Dam, a potential venue for the 2032 Olympic rowing events.
The dam provided a breathtaking backdrop for the competition, and our athletes rose to the occasion, competing against over 850 athletes from nearly 50 schools across the state.
Our rowers faced some of the toughest competition in Queensland, delivering impressive results. A standout performance came from Ethan Hu (Year 8), who secured a bronze medal in the Year 8 boys’ single scull. Ethan's dedication and extra training truly paid off. He also teamed up with Hugo Derksema to qualify for the final in the Boys’ Year 9 double scull.
Maddi McLaughlin once again showcased her talent, making the final in her single scull for the second year in a row, finishing 7th in the state—an incredible achievement. The Year 10 boys' and girls' fours crews also put on strong performances, finishing 9th and 6th in their respective finals.
The Year 9 girls' quad—consisting of Esther Fink, Beth Curry, Tamar Chester-Haviv, Jess Lester, and Zoe Benson—had an outstanding race, battling through tough competition to make it to the final. Another highlight of the weekend was Jasmine Teng, a Year 7 student, who impressively made it to the semifinal in the Year 8 girls’ single scull. It’s exciting to think about what she’ll achieve in the years to come.
Overall, it was a weekend filled with exceptional performances. A huge thank you to all the athletes, parents, and supporters who came out, as well as to our dedicated coaches, Peer Richards and Georgina Vote, who guided our rowers throughout the competition.
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