This past weekend TYRA earned a lifetime performance benchmark at the Central District Regional Championships held in Oklahoma City. The team was successful in winning a silver medal in the men’s novice quadruple sculls. This performance was the best performance the club has ever attained in this particular event.
The crew of Robert Sharpe (Holland Hall), Luke Brightmire (Bishop Kelly), Wallace Tucker (Booker T. Washington), and Thomas Sharpe (Holland Hall) rowed down the 2000m course beating teams from Texas and Oklahoma. The crew qualified for the final with a fourth-place finish in the time trial some 14 seconds behind the winning time trial crew. By Sunday afternoon when the crew competed in the final, they stepped up their pace to finish just 2 seconds behind the eventual winner.
In other events, Robert Sharpe and Wallace Tucker qualified for the final by finishing 4th in the time trial. Unfortunately, this race did not occur because of a scheduling issue.
“I’m very happy with the overall performance of the team after our weekend competing at the Central Youth Rowing Championships in Oklahoma City. Not only was the men’s novice quad able to bring home a silver medal, but all of our race times improved by 10+ seconds from our scrimmage on the same course just two weeks ago. The athletes have worked so hard for the past nine months, and ending the season with so many positives is truly inspiring. I’m very proud of the way our TYRA athletes represented our city today, and am looking forward to more amazing results in the future,” said Head Coach Valentino Angelini.
“After finishing fourth in the qualifier, we knew we had to step it up a notch if we were to win a medal in the finals race. I am pleased to say that we did just that, clinching silver and finishing just 2 seconds behind the 1st place team. Looking into the future, I am excited for what the summer and next season will bring as we continue to train and grow our program.” said TYRA athlete Thomas Sharpe.
TYRA is gearing up for a full summer of programming with camps occurring in June and early July. Additionally, the club is offering a free learn-to-row clinic on June 5th. Details for sign-up can be found at okrowing.org.
The club is actively recruiting 7th through 12th graders for summer rowing and the fall season. For more information, please contact the club at info@okrowing.org.