DUC wins four titles at Regionals

By Katrina Craycroft

Dallas United Crew (DUC) competed in USRowing’s Central Youth Championships this past weekend. In addition to regional stalwarts, Jesuit Prep, Texas Rowing Center and OKC Riversport, competitors included teams such as Newport Aquatic Center, NorCal and Chicago Rowing Foundation from the outside of the Central Region; championship regattas were cancelled in the Southwest and Mid-west Regions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visiting crews were eligible to race, but not to earn a medal. USRowing added another accommodation for the pandemic by opening racing at its Youth National Championship in Sarasota, Fla. in June to all crews, not just those winning gold and silver as had been the qualifier in years past.

DUC added four regional titles after half of DUC’s 17 entries qualified for the finals. For each event, time trials on Saturday elevated six boats to Sunday’s finals. DUC’s Men’s Under 17 Eight set a blistering pace on the course finishing three lengths ahead of Newport, a distant second. DUC’s varsity women took home gold in both the four and the eight. The Women’s Youth 8+ extended their winning streak, now a three-peat. Seventy-eight DUC rowers hailing from 26 Dallas-area high schools raced; 56 medaled across nine events. DUC will send its largest contingent ever to Youth Nationals.

Sunday’s results have Head Coach Steve Perry feeling optimistic, “We are very excited to compete at the Youth Nationals in June. Our men’s U17 eight has been very fortunate this spring to hold an undefeated season. Our women’s crews did very well, too. This was our first win in the Women’s Youth 4+ event and third consecutive title in the Women’s Youth 8+. We are very proud of the performances from all our crews. What was most exciting about this weekend was a feeling of normalcy, competing on the water. I think all of our athletes, parents and supporters felt the same and greatly appreciated USRowing hosting this regatta.”

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. Scholarships are available.