Rowing Club Juniors Harvest Medals at Pumpkinhead Regatta

Head of the Colorado

THE WOOLDANDS, Texas -- A few ghouls were treated to gold, silver and bronze medals this past weekend in Austin, TX. The Rowing Club of The Woodlands (RCTW) Juniors competed at the Head of The Colorado Regatta, fondly known as the Pumpkinhead, on October 31, 2009 on Lady Bird Lake. Pumpkinhead is the only regatta where the competitors are encouraged to wear costumes in lieu of their unisuits. Under blue skies and cool temperatures, the Juniors watched the sun rise on their way to the starting line and competed on a 5000 meter course that included navigating six bridges. For some of the Juniors, it was their first time to row a single boat in a competition. For one special member who is graduating in January, it was a final high school regatta.

Clint Bokorney, 17, a student at The Woodlands High School, has spent the last three years as a member of the RCTW Juniors. He teamed up with Justin Koch, a junior at The Woodlands College Park, to win silver in the Mens Junior 2x in 17:51.0.

"When I was sitting at the starting line of my last race, I looked around and realized why I love this sport and give every last bit of energy to accomplish what I set out to do," stated Clint Bokorney. "You see the other competitors waiting anxiously along side you in the early morning and talking strategy. When you have truly tried your hardest, that is what makes you a winner."

Bokorney, who is graduating in Jan. 2010, lives for rowing. He is pursuing a spot at the collegiate level at Oklahoma City University, but he will miss the bond he has formed with RCTW members and coaches. "Coach Leonard Anderson has taught me so much over the years, he is the most respected person in my life and I owe him a lot for all he has done," Bokorney said.

Bokorney and Koch added gold to their treat bag when Tara Dalton and Marjorie Ferrone, who themselves won fourth in the Womens Junior 2x in19:42.8, joined them in the Mixed junior 4x. The RCTWJ also picked up bronze in the mixed junior 4x when Aamer Rakla, Hannah Kim, Monica Carranza and JD Telford bested their team mates in the 4th place boat consisting of RCTWJ Mark Racioppi, Paris Rosman, Alexandra Millheim, and Surabhi Reddy by 11 seconds.

Making a presence in the Mens Jr Novice 1x were first time singles competitors Hugo Gomez picking up bronze in 23:14.5, Paolo Holgado fourth in 23:31.7 and Casner Pernice fifth place in 25:30.7. Brandon Belcher, in costume as Bob Marley, rocked a bronze in the Mens Recreational 1x in 28:00.2.

Bronze was awarded to Mens Jr Novice 4x. In a competitive field of nine boats anchored by bow man Hugo Gomez, Casner Pernice, JD Telford, and M. Hunt, the A boat clocked a time of 18:15.4. Right behind them winning fourth place with a time of 18:45.2 was the Novice B boat. Taking stroke seat for the B boat was Mark Racioppi, followed by Surabhi Reddy, Nate Johnson and Paolo Holgado.

The juniors sent a total of 28 members to Saturday’s race. “Competition at this regatta was tough. There were some awesome teams out there, but I think we came together as a team really well,” said Mariana Bandera, Varsity girl’s captain and a student at The Woodlands High School.

Other results for the RCTW Juniors:

Mens Jr 4X
5th: Clint Bokorney, Justin Koch, Thomas Eastwick, Miguel Holgado in 16:47.8

Womens Jr 4X
12th: Mariana Bandera, Hailey Bachmann, Caroline Kirby, Camille Sumodobila in 20:16.9

Womens Jr Novice 4X
12th: Grace Carbajal, Stephanie Mallard, Jill Wethington, Cambridge Bolen in 20:46.4

Mens Jr 1X
9th: Miguel Holgado in 23:27.0

Womens Jr Novice 1X
7th: Stephanie Mallard in 23:45.0
10th: Cambridge Bolen in 24:24.2

Mens Jr 2X
9th: Miguel Holgado, Aamer Rakla in 23:13.1

Teams entered in the Head of the Colorado included: Austin Rowing Club, Texas Rowing Center, Dallas Rowing Club, Greater Houston Rowing Club, Ft. Worth Rowing Club, Bay Area Rowing Club of Houston, Hockaday School, Highland Park Crew, Ursuline Academy of Dallas, Episcopal School of Dallas, Cambridge School of Dallas, White Rock Boathouse, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Texas Crew, Rowing Club at Baylor University, Utah Crew, Texas A&M Crew, Rice Crew, University of Texas Womens Crew, University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist Womens Rowing, Jesuit College Prep Dallas, St. Edwards Crew, Rocky Mountain Rowing Club, and OKCBF/Chesapeake Boathouse.