DUC ranks Top 10 in Nation — twice!

By Katrina Craycroft

The fastest youth rowers in the United States converged on Nathan Benderson Park June 10th-13th for USRowing’s Youth National Championship. Emerging from the Central Regional Championship with four golds and three silvers, Dallas United Crew (DUC) sent 37 athletes to compete — the most in program history, and the most of any scholastic or club team from Texas. In the Florida heat and humidity, DUC produced some of the top finishes in club history.

This year, USRowing introduced an under 17 category for all events. Demonstrating the depth of their program, DUC fielded a boat of nine freshmen who came ready to race. Time trials and semifinals landed them in the B Final, facing storied clubs, NorCal from Redwood City, Calif. and Boston’s Community Rowing Inc. (CRI). NorCal took an early lead, but the remaining boats were in contact for the full 2000 meters. At 500 meters, DUC surged to second, with CRI challenging. DUC held the field off, earning 8th in nation, which is a program best finish for a men’s 8. Their coach, Connor Alexander, himself a DUC alum and national contender in the Men’s Quad, said, “That sprint at the end was amazing! They have been waiting all season to be in that situation and they delivered!” says Alexander.

Coached by Ohio State hall-of-famer Amanda Perry, the DUC Varsity Women’s coxed four have relentlessly climbed in the rankings over six consecutive appearances at Youth Nationals. After rowing a 7:02.363 in the time trials and strong semi-finals race, the DUC women with grit and determination, edged out Saint Andrew’s of Roswell, Ga. by two-tenths of a second to claim 10th in the nation.

To race at Sarasota, DUC seniors Chloe Dietz, Garrett Botsch and Hudson Price had to make a tough choice: race or walk at Woodrow’s graduation. All three are academic standouts. Dietz and Price earned summa cum laude, and Botsch earned magna cum laude. Dietz, a Columbia University recruit says: “For me, it was an easy decision. My team always comes first, and I was honored to even compete alongside such inspiring athletes.”

DUC’s top crews hail from fourteen Dallas area high schools, including: Bishop Lynch, Booker T. Washington, Episcopal School of Dallas, Flower Mound, Highland Park, Homeschool, Hockaday, Lake Highlands, Reedy, School of Science and Engineering, School for the Talented and Gifted, Shelton, Wakeland and Woodrow Wilson.

DUC’s USRowing National Rankings:

Men’s U17 8+: #8

Women’s Youth 4+: #10

Men’s Youth 8+: #24

Women’s Youth 8+: #36

Men’s Youth 4+: #36

DUC is the largest sweep rowing team in Texas, focusing fours and eights and preparing athletes to matriculate to collegiate crews. Youth wishing to learn to row are invited to register now for rowing summer camps at DallasUnitedCrew.org.

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