Alec Steele (cox), Ian Drake (stroke), David Hosler, Hayden Bierwith, Rocky Davis, Cameron Drake, Jack Andreoni, Zack Attaran, Billy Deskin Photo submitted

Amid furious thunderstorms, high temperatures, intense humidity and hours of tense anticipation, Oakland Strokes rowers did themselves proud at the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 11-13. The women's varsity took second and fifth places. The men's varsity took fifth. The Lamorinda students from Miramonte, Acalanes and Campolindo High rowers all missed their graduation ceremonies to race their boats at Nationals.

The women's varsity 8+ faced steep competition and despite the absence of Coach Derek Byrnes, who had to return home for a family emergency, finished second in the nation in the Grand Finals with a time of 6:36.356. The Women's Varsity Eight boat included rowers from Lamorinda: Corinnne Bozzini (Campolindo), and Elizabeth Lenczowski--stroke, Becky Bauer, Dana Walsh, Nikki Dalberg-Seeth, and Molly Fehr (all from Miramonte). Six of these rowers are graduating seniors and will be heading off to row in colleges across the country next year. After the race Lenczowski (stroke) said, "As our boat crossed the finish line, I knew that earning a silver medal was well worth the nine months of training."

The Lightweight women's Varsity 8, manned by four seniors and three sophomores, also reached Grand Finals on Sunday. The boat's incredible teamwork and heroic commitment paid off for the lightweight women who claimed fifth place in the nation with a time of 6:58.677. Lamorinda was represented by Michelle Lee of Miramonte.

The Men's Varsity 8+ had the "race of the day" according to coaches and spectators. Coxswain Alec Steele (Miramonte) guided and motivated the V8+ boat in amazing style to its fastest time ever, breaking six minutes and coming in second in the Men's Petite Final. Their winning time (5:58.489) allowed them to beat out seven other Varsity 8+ boats to claim the fifth fastest time in the nation. Lamorinda residents on the Varsity Men's 8+ Boat included Ian Drake (stroke), Cameron Drake, Alec Steele (coxswain) and Rocky Davis (all from Miramonte); Zack Attaran (Acalanes); and Billy Deskin (Campolindo).

For many of Strokes rowers, Nationals was their last race for Oakland Strokes. These students are off to college, several on full or partial scholarships as rowers. For all of them, rowing contributed to their successful applications to colleges and universities across the country:

Miramonte High School: Kelly Bauer (Harvard), Nikki Dalberg-Seeth (U of Michigan), Molly Fehr (Stanford), Anne Hofinga (Penn), Elizabeth Lenczowski (Harvard)

Acalanes High School: Zachary Attaran (UC San Diego), Maya Schechter (Dartmouth), Alex Sheridan (Orange Coast College).

Campolindo: Billy Deskin (University of Washington)