The boys novice "A" boat was coxed by Sarah Heetderks (Miramonte High School) and stroked by Harald Vaernes (Bishop O'Dowd). From seven seat to bow seat, the rowers were Raphael Peterson (Piedmont), Zack Laher (Miramonte), Sam Fishman (Piedmont), Cole Masse (El Cerrito), David Hofmayer (Miramonte), Mac Farrell (Miramonte), and Mark Gallegos (San Ramon Valley) in bow seat.

The "A" boat achieved its goal of winning its heat with a time of 5 minutes, 2 seconds, beating crews from Los Gatos, St. Ignatius and Marin. The Strokes advanced to the finals along with Marin, Newport Aquatic, Serra High School, San Diego and Marina Aquatic, winning the race with a time of 5:18 and beating Newport by seven seconds.

The boys novice "B" boat was coxed by Drew Joseph (Piedmont) and stroked by Shane Thygeson (Piedmont). From seven to bow seat the rowers were Chris Kohne (Piedmont), Mike Brenner (Acalanes), Chris Welter (Piedmont), Andre Ospital-Cone (Campolindo), Ben Rockwell (Campolindo), Sheldon Silvera (Miramonte), and Nuri Han (Piedmont) in bow seat.

The "B" boat rowers handily won their event with a time of 5:36, beating the boats in its heat by 30-60 seconds.

The Strokes also entered a coed novice "C" boat so that all the rowers could have a chance to compete in the regatta and experience the excitement of their first race. This boat was coxed by Brittany Young, and stroked by Brett Yount (Alameda).

From seven to bow seat the rowers were Billy Hughes (Miramonte), Eric Holgerson (St. Joseph's), Jeff Biestman (Monte Vista), Nico Wrenn (Piedmont), Becca Girtler (Miramonte), Damion Hall (St. Joseph's) and Allison Pretlow (Miramonte) in bow seat.

Girls Results
The Novice Regatta also featured girls competition. And as in the boys events, the Strokes were just one of 19 crews from throughout the state to compete.

The Oakland Stokes novice girls "A" boat was coxed by Francesca Chang (Campolindo) and from seven to bow seat the rowers were: Claire Swanback (Campolindo), Stephanie Bohar (Piedmont), Pia Hauch (Bentley), Mary Ellen King (Miramonte), Franny Brogan (Piedmont), Rebecca Kuensting (Bishop O'Dowd), Heather Lynch (St. Joseph Notre Dame), and Jessie Toda (Campolindo).

The "A" boat came in second place, less than one second behind Marin Rowing Association. In the B-boat series, the B-A boat took a first place finish with a 14-second lead over second-place Newport Beach.

The boat was coxed by Shira Kharrazi (Alameda Community Learning Center), and from seven to bow seat the boat was rowed by Claire Compton (Bentley), Katie Leach (Miramonte), Genevieve Johnson (Bishop O'Dowd), Danielle Piccinini (Carondelet), Sarah Schiller (Piedmont), Kate Hhruska (Albany), Kimberly Huppert (Piedmont) and Dakota Coleman (St. Joseph).

In a highly contested race, Oakland Stroke B boat -- the club's "B" entry -- placed third with a time of 6:17.9.

Oakland B-B was coxed by Brittany Yung (Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep). Rowing the B boat were: Kaitlin Davis (Miramonte), Maggie Hennessey (Piedmont), Anne Rutherford (Bentley), Hayley Andrews (Miramonte), Bronwyn McGinley-Bradley (Waldorf-S.F.), Lara Keihner (Acalanes) Emily Lewis (St. Joseph) and Lila Miller (Piedmont).

The Oakland Strokes "C" boat in the B series handily won its heat with a 15-second advantage over Newport "C," its nearest competitor.

Oakland "C" was coxed by Carla Medina (Millennium) and crewed by: Bianca Molfino (Holy Names), Laura Peers (Campolindo), Hilary Castles (Carondelet), Grainne Hebeler (East Bay Waldorf), Sabrina Thompson (Bishop O'Dowd), Rose Shipro (Millennium), Meaghan Haley, and Julie Lee (Miramonte).

Contra Costa Times
Knight Ridder
(925) 943-8270
www.contracostatimes.com