Watch Potomac at National Championships now!

It’s not too late to catch our PBC Open scullers slug it out at the 2010 USRowing National Championships!  Watch live streaming video at http://rowing.teamusa.org/live.

Those left to race include Nicole Dinion and Brittany Robinson in the women’s lightweight 2x at 9:40!  (Like, really … you have four minutes. Git.)

Finally, Matt Madigan reminds us that PBC’s Open Scullers can’t do this without our support. Watch for tax deductible ways to donate through the Potomac River Sports Foundation to help these talented athletes continue to meet their elite rowing goals.

We are so proud of all of you!  Way to go, PBC!

PBC Men go for a cuptastic Henley 2010

From June 30 – July 4, Potomac Boat Club’s Men’s Sweep Team will compete for the Thames Challenge Cup, the prize awarded to the winner of the Men’s Club Eight event at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.

The regatta, first held in 1839, takes place annually on the River Thames near the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. More than 500 crews from 20 nations will compete this year, including our own.

PBC men last competed at Henley in 2007. They were the only U.S. crew to make it to the Thames Challenge Cup quarterfinals. A few of the guys from 2007 are returning this year and hope to better their result. We think they will.

The 2010 crew includes Apollo Nguyen (cox), Chad Jungbluth, Paul Holland, John Forrest, Mike McCarthy, Bob Price (PBC President), Brian Wood, Nick Davies, and Tom Brock.

Each event at Henley is a single-elimination competition; in other words, you could be one and done, or get to play all week.  Boats race two at a time down a 2,112 meter-long course so narrow, there are only a few meters to spare when side-by-side. Adding to the potential drama (and undoubtedly, the regatta’s popularity with spectators), the course is lined by floating, unforgiving wooden bars or “booms.” Steering into the boom is known by onlookers as a “Henley Royal F[oul]-up,” and offending coxswains must wear crowns emblazoned with the same for the remainder of the regatta. (Just kidding about that last part. Maybe.)

On Saturday, June 26th, if all the guys make it into town on time, PBC will tune up and shake off the jet lag at the Reading Town Regatta.  Once racing starts at Henley, you can follow the guys as they battle through the competition by signing up for Twitter, Facebook or any of the other Henley results services offered at http://hrr.co.uk/pdisp.php?pid=316.

In the meantime, below we’ve included an alphabetical list of the clubs PBC will have to beat to advance, followed by a list of past PBC winners at Henley.

Safe travels and best of luck to Apollo and our crew. Row hard, guys!

~

The Thames Challenge Cup
Current holders: Molesey Boat Club A

1829 Boat Club
Abingdon Rowing Club
Agecroft Rowing Club
Broxbourne Rowing Club
Carlow Rowing Club, Ireland
Combined Services Rowing Club
Curlew Rowing Club
Durham Amateur Rowing Club
Galway Rowing Club, Ireland
Henley Rowing Club
HSBC Rowing Club
Kingston Rowing Club
Lea Rowing Club
London Rowing Club ‘A’
London Rowing Club ‘B’
Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club
Molesey Boat Club ‘A’
Molesey Boat Club ‘B’
Potomac Boat Club, U.S.A.
Putney Town Rowing Club
Reading Rowing Club
Runcorn Rowing Club
St. Michael’s Rowing Club, Ireland
Sons of the Thames Rowing Club
Staines Boat Club
Star Club
Thames Rowing Club ‘A’
Thames Rowing Club ‘B’
Thames Rowing Club ‘C’
Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Club
Twickenham Rowing Club
Upper Thames Rowing Club
Vesta Rowing Club
West End Rowing Club, New Zealand
York City Rowing Club

~

Past Winners of the Henley Royal Regatta - PBC and Washington & Lee High School

1964

Washington-Lee High School

Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup

1969

Washington-Lee High School

Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup

1973

Potomac Boat Club

Silver Goblets & Nickalls Challenge Cup

1975

Potomac Boat Club

Stewards’ Challenge Cup

1980

Potomac Boat Club

Silver Goblets & Nickalls Challenge Cup

1996

Potomac Boat Club & National Training Ctr.

Double Sculls Challenge Cup

Awesome finish for Margot!

WAY TO GO, MARGOT!

World Championships wraps up today in Poznan, and we imagine that our Margot Shumway and her coach Matt Madigan are leaving with more than a few great memories from Margot’s final on Friday, August 28.

Here is what USRowing had to say about the race:  “In the women’s single sculls, 2008 Olympian Margot Shumway (Westlake, Ohio) dominated her race to win by 3.77 seconds and finish in 13th place overall. The U.S. sculler took the lead early and widened the gap with Norway’s Tale Gjoertz in the final stretch to cross in an 8:26.17. Norway crossed second in an 8:29.94, followed by Spain’s Nuria Dominguez Asensio third in an 8:41.42.”

Now, if you want some real behind the scenes insight, you need to check out Margot’s mom Julia’s blog.  There, not only will you find the Row2k.com photos leading up to the one above, but a note Margot sent her mom the night before the race that really is a must-read.  [We're just dorky enough to admit that it left us a little misty over here this morning!  (sniff)]

We are so proud of you, Margot!  Have a safe trip home, and great job!

For more news about the U.S. team in Poland today, check out Seven U.S. Crews to Race for Medals on Sunday at 2009 World Rowing Championships.

Margot to race in repechages on Tuesday

Our Margot Shumway certainly fought the good fight this morning in the first heat of the women’s single sculls at World Championships in Poland. Margot, stroke of the U.S. women’s quad at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, sat in third place for the first 1,000 meters before eventually slipping back to sixth.

Lucerne gold-medalist Mirka Knapkova of the Czech Republic won the heat with a time of 7:33.07, followed by three-time Olympic medalist Katherine Granger of Great Britain with a time of 7:36.59. Margot finished with a time of 7:46.69, and will race in the repechages on Tuesday, August 25.

In other Team USA rowing news, the U.S. women’s pair, men’s pair with coxswain and lightweight men’s eight finished first in their heats, while the women’s double sculls and the men’s pair crews finished second to advance. Eleven U.S. crews will race tomorrow, Monday, August 24.

To catch live coverage of tomorrow’s races, and Margot in the reps on Tuesday (6:30 AM, Eastern), click here.  Get special coverage provided by Margot’s mom Julia, on the scene in Poznan, by visiting her blog here.  Finals (August 29-30) will be streamed here.

Our continued best to Margot and the rest of the team!

Let’s GO, Margot!!!

Let’s GO, Margot!!!

We know.  We said it, again.  It’s not clever, but we can’t help it.  Sometimes you blurt spontaneous, uncreative things when you’re excited, and we’ve been this way since USRowing announced the team for the 2009 World Rowing Championships earlier this week!

Why?  Well, because the roster of the athletes and coaches named to represent the United States includes Potomac Boat Club’s own Margot Shumway and coach Matt Madigan!

Margot and Matt were also on the team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, where Margot stroked the Women’s quad (W4x).  At world championships, Margot will represent the U.S. in the Women’s Single Sculls (W1x) event.

Joining Margot and Matt will be a few former PBC’ers, including Cam Kiosoglous (Coach, M4x), Sam Stitt (M4x), Sarah Trowbridge (W4x), and Brett Sickler (Alternate).  But if you want to go cheer them on, you better get your ticket soon and have your passport ready.

This year’s world championships will be held on Lake Malta in Poznań, Poland, from August 23 - 30.  Organized by the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron (FISA), the event is considered by most to be the highlight of the racing calendar in non-Olympic years.

For all the latest on Margot, check out mom Julia Shumway’s blog.  If you’d like to read the entire release from USRowing, we’ve included it below. 

Now you’re jumping up and down, and what was that?! Let’s…?  GO…?  Margot?  See!  Feels good, doesn’t it?!

Best of luck to everyone as they fight to bring home the gold!

---

USRowing Announces 2009 World Championships Roster
Monday, August 10, 2009

PRINCETON, N.J. – The 2009 U.S. national team roster has been set, USRowing announced on Monday. Twenty-four crews will represent the United States at the 2009 World Rowing Championships scheduled for August 23-30 in Poznan, Poland.

The United States will have crews competing in the men’s single sculls, women’s single sculls, lightweight men’s single sculls, lightweight women’s single sculls, men’s double sculls, women’s double sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls, lightweight women’s double sculls, men’s quadruple sculls, women’s quadruple sculls, lightweight men’s quadruple sculls, lightweight women’s quadruple sculls, men’s pair, women’s pair, men’s pair with coxswain, lightweight men’s pair, men’s four, women’s four, lightweight men’s four, men’s eight, women’s eight, lightweight men’s eight, adaptive men’s single sculls and adaptive four with coxswain.

The 80-person roster includes 66 past national team members. Twenty athletes return from last year’s squad that competed at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The United States won three medals in Beijing including gold in the women’s eight, silver in the women’s single sculls and bronze in the men’s eight. Five members of the women’s eight are back to defend their title in Poland.

Two athletes that competed in the 2008 Paralympic Games are scheduled to race. In addition, nine athletes return from last year’s squad that competed at the 2008 World Rowing Senior and Junior Championships where the United States won gold in the men’s lightweight eight, silver in the women’s four and bronze in the lightweight women’s quadruple sculls.

USRowing is a nonprofit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States. USRowing’s Official Suppliers are Hudson Boat Works and Boathouse Sports; its Official Patron is Concept2; its Official Electronics Outfitter is Nielsen Kellerman; its Official Timer is Powerhouse Timing; and its Preferred Printer is Sport Graphics Printing. USRowing also receives generous support from the National Rowing Foundation.

2009 World Championships Roster
(Name, Hometown, Affiliation)

Men’s Single Sculls (M1x)
Warren Anderson, Paso Robles, Calif., USRowing Training Center

Women’s Single Sculls (W1x)
Margot Shumway, Westlake, Ohio, Potomac Boat Club

Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls (LM1x)
Cody Lowry, Bristow, Okla., Bachelors Barge Club

Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls (LW1x)
Meghan Sarbanis, Hampstead, N.H., Undine Barge Club

Men’s Double Sculls (M2x)
Thomas Graves, Cincinnati, Ohio, Craftsbury Sculling Center
Peter Graves, Cincinnati, Ohio, Craftsbury Sculling Center

Women’s Double Sculls (W2x)
Megan Kalmoe, St. Croix Falls, Wis., USRowing Training Center
Ellen Tomek, Flushing, Mich., USRowing Training Center

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x)
Andy Quinn, Honeoye Falls, N.Y., USRowing Training Center
Shane Madden, Ambler, Pa., Malta Boat Club

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (LW2x)
Michelle Trannel, East Dubuque, Ill., USRowing Training Center
Kristin Hedstrom, Concord, Mass., USRowing Training Center

Men’s Quadruple Sculls (M4x)
Glenn Ochal, Philadelphia, Pa., USRowing Training Center
Will Miller, Duxbury, Mass., USRowing Training Center
Sam Stitt, McLean, Va., USRowing Training Center
Elliot Hovey, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Mass., USRowing Training Center

Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x)
Kathleen Bertko, Oakland, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Sarah Trowbridge, Guilford, Conn., USRowing Training Center
Stesha Carle, Long Beach, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Megan Walsh, Charlotte, N.C., USRowing Training Center

Lightweight Men’s Quadruple Sculls (LM4x)
Sam Cunningham, Pittsburgh, Pa., Malta Boat Club
Dan Scholtz, Springfield, Ore., Vesper Boat Club
Jon Winter, New Haven, Conn., GMS Rowing Center
Brian Tryon, Indianapolis, Ind., GMS Rowing Center

Lightweight Women’s Quadruple Sculls (LW4x)
Abby Broughton, Tetonia, Idaho, Pocock Rowing Center
Stefanie Sydlik, Allentown, Pa., Riverside Boat Club
Lindsey Hochman, Seattle, Wash., Pocock Rowing Center
Hillary Saeger, Dedham, Mass., Riverside Boat Club

Men’s Pair (M2-)
Charlie Cole, New Canaan, Conn., USRowing Training Center
David Banks, Potomac, Md., USRowing Training Center

Women’s Pair (W2-)
Erin Cafaro, Modesto, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Susan Francia, Abington, Pa., USRowing Training Center

Men’s Pair with Coxswain (M2+)
Marcus McElhenney, Lansdowne, Pa., New York Athletic Club
Henrik Rummel, Pittsford, N.Y., USRowing Training Center
Troy Kepper, Tallahassee, Fla., USRowing Training Center

Lightweight Men’s Pair (LM2-)
John Wainwright, Alameda, Calif., Riverside Boat Club
Alex Rothmeier, Boston, Mass., Riverside Boat Club

Men’s Four (M4-)
Brett Newlin, Riverton, Wyo., USRowing Training Center
Giuseppe Lanzone, Annandale, Va., USRowing Training Center
Steve Coppola, Buffalo, N.Y., USRowing Training Center
Cameron Winklevoss, Greenwich, Conn., USRowing Training Center

Women’s Four (W4-)
Elle Logan, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, USRowing Training Center
Jamie Redman, Spokane, Wash., USRowing Training Center
Amanda Polk, Pittsburgh, Pa., USRowing Training Center
Esther Lofgren, Newport Beach, Calif., USRowing Training Center

Lightweight Men’s Four (LM4-)
Will Daly, Vail, Colo., USRowing Training Center
Brian de Regt, Rowayton, Conn., USRowing Training Center
Nick LaCava, Weston, Conn., USRowing Training Center
Taylor Washburn, Andover, Mass., USRowing Training Center

Men’s Eight (M8+)
Ned DelGuercio, Media, Pa., USRowing Training Center
Grant James, DeKalb, Ill., USRowing Training Center
Ross James, DeKalb, Ill., USRowing Training Center
Tyler Winklevoss, Greenwich, Conn., USRowing Training Center
Jacob Cornelius, Brooktondale, N.Y., USRowing Training Center
Steve Kasprzyk, Cinnaminson, N.J., Penn A.C. Rowing Association
Alex Osborne, Sherman Oaks, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Mike Holbrook, Madison, Wis., California Rowing Club
Beau Hoopman, Plymouth, Wis., USRowing Training Center

Women’s Eight (W8+)
Katelin Snyder, Winter Park, Fla., USRowing Training Center
Caroline Lind, Greensboro, N.C., USRowing Training Center
Susan Francia, Abington, Pa., USRowing Training Center
Anna Goodale, Camden, Maine, USRowing Training Center
Lindsay Shoop, Charlottesville, Va., USRowing Training Center
Kady Glessner, Seattle, Wash., USRowing Training Center
Laura Larsen-Strecker, Brookline, Mass., USRowing Training Center
Erin Cafaro, Modesto, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Mara Allen, San Francisco, Calif., USRowing Training Center

Lightweight Men’s Eight (LM8+)
Kerry Quinn, Havertown, Pa., USRowing Training Center
Jim Sopko, Mathews, Va., USRowing Training Center
Andrew Diebold, North Wales, Pa., USRowing Training Center
Matt Muffelman, Mathews, Va., USRowing Training Center
Ryan Fox, Edgerton, Wis., USRowing Training Center
Kenny McMahon, Ladysmith, Wis., USRowing Training Center
Anthony Fahden, Lafayette, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Matt Kochem, Burnt Hills, N.Y., USRowing Training Center
Skip Dise, Beverly Hills, Mich., USRowing Training Center

Adaptive Men’s Single Sculls (AM1x)
Ron Harvey, Long Beach, Calif., Long Beach Rowing Association

Adaptive Mixed Four (A4+)
Tim Edsell, Louisville, Ky., Unaffiliated
Eric McDaniel, Weeki Wachee, Fla., Unaffiliated
Andrew Johnson, Greenwich, Conn., Unaffiliated
Emma Preuschl, Indianapolis, Ind., Indianapolis Rowing Center
Jen Klapper, Philadelphia, Pa., Undine Barge Club

Alternates
Grace Luczak, Ann Arbor, Mich., Stanford University
Brett Sickler, Los Gatos, Calif., USRowing Training Center
Jessica Reel, Ojai, Calif., USRowing Training Center

Coaching Staff
Name, Affiliation, Boat(s)

Michiel Bartman, Vesper Boat Club, LM4x
Pat Brown, Philadelphia Program for the Disabled, AM1x, A4+
Paul Coomes, Conestoga High School, LM1x
Steve Dani, Pocock Rowing Center, LW4x
Harry Graves, Craftsbury Sculling Center, M2x
Annie Kakela, USRowing Training Center, W4x
Cameron Kiosoglous, USRowing Training Center, M4x
Laurel Korholz, USRowing Training Center, W2x
Kris Korzeniowski, USRowing Training Center, M2-
Karen Lewis, Philadelphia Program for the Disabled, AM1x, A4+
Matt Madigan, Potomac Boat Club, W1x
Tim McLaren, USRowing Training Center, M8+, M4-, M2+
Mike Naughton, Undine Barge Club, LW1x
Dave O’Neill, University of California – Berkeley, W4-
John Parker, USRowing Training Center, LM2x, LW2x, LW4x, LM4-, LM8+
Joel Scrogin, California Rowing Club, M1x
Bruce Smith, Community Rowing, Inc., LM2-, LM8+
Tom Terhaar, USRowing Training Center, W8+, W2-
Bryan Volpenhein, Pocock Rowing Center, LM2x, LW2x, LW4x, LM4-, LM8+

Team Support
Name, Position

Kate Ackerman, Team Physician
Michelle Bensman, Medical Support
Allison Frederick, USRowing Press Officer
Timothy Hosea, Team Physician
Margaux Jackson, USRowing Programs Coordinator
Don Langford, USRowing President
Andreas Maul, Boatman
Marc Nowak, Medical Support
Elpi Pagitsas, USRowing Programs Manager
Michael Samaha, Adaptive Team Support