The crew crosses the finish. From left: Ian Drake, David Hosler, Dmitri Baefsky, Gabe Larwood, Alexander Steele. Photos courtesy Jon Steele.

The Oakland Strokes varsity team won the 2000 meter race at the US Rowing Youth National Championships.

They qualified by placing third or higher at one of the six regional regattas in the nation. The Strokes MV4+ (a four man boat with a coxswain) qualified last month." Defeating favorite St. Louis Rowing Club and thirteen other teams, the Oakland Strokes took first.

The first half of the race was close. The bows of St. Louis, Deerfield Academy, and Oakland Strokes surged evenly down the course. However, as they approached the thousand, coxswain Alexander Steele called for a move to separate themselves from the field. The rowers responded beautifully, and a victory of over five seconds was achieved.

After standing on the podium, Gabe Larwood stated in retrospect, "By winning nationals we have finally justified the hundreds upon hundreds of hours of training that go into this sport." Ian Drake, the stroke, also commented, "I never thought we could do it. I just can't believe it".

The boat was composed of high school students Drake, David Hosler, Dmitri Baefsky, Larwood, and Steele. Drake, Baefsky, Larwood and Steele missed their graduation from Miramonte to compete.

Drake will attend University of Washington, Baefsky U.C. Berkeley, Larwood U.C. San Diego and Steele Dartmouth. Hosler is a rising senior at Piedmont High.