The momentum continued for Sebastian River Rowing at the Florida Scholastic Rowing Association’s Sweep State Championships held at Nathan Benderson Park on April 26th and 27th, as the Sharks delivered another weekend of championship-level performances, headlined by a thrilling State Title and multiple Grand Final appearances.

The Boys Freshmen 4+ stole the show with a dramatic come-from-behind victory to win the State Championship. The crew—Jude Retemnier, Tyler Alderman (both 8th grade, Sebastian River Middle School), Darius Corbett (9th, Melbourne Central Catholic), Bronson Lachle (9th, Sebastian River High School), and coxswain John Bailey (8th, Sebastian River Middle)—overcame early deficits to outpace powerhouse programs Tampa Prep and Miami Beach Rowing Club in the final sprint.

“It was one of the most exciting races we’ve ever had,” said Head Coach Tom Lange. “The boys showed maturity beyond their years and executed perfectly when it mattered most.”

Also earning hardware were seniors Jaden Watkins and Kris Waters, who powered their way to 2nd place overall in the Men’s Pair (2-), capturing the Scholastic State Championship in the process. Their silver finish marks a proud moment to cap off their high school careers.

All six rowers—Jude, Tyler, Darius, Bronson, Kris, and Jaden—will compete at the US Rowing Southeast Regional Championship in Atlanta on the weekend of May 10th, where they will represent Sebastian River against top crews from across the southeastern United States.

Not to be outdone, the Girls Freshmen 4+ turned in an inspiring effort of their own. The young lineup—Khloe Corbett (9th, Melbourne Central Catholic), Sophia Lovelock (9th, Pineapple Cove Classical Academy), Leah Hone (8th, Sebastian Charter Junior High), Elena Mirabel (7th, Odyssey Charter), and coxswain BaileyAnn Belansky—battled fiercely in the final and finished 3rd in the state, just behind Orlando Area Rowing Society and St. Thomas Aquinas.

“These girls showed incredible toughness,” Lange said. “They went up against much older, more experienced crews and came within seconds of winning the whole thing. Their future is incredibly bright.”

Meanwhile, the Girls Junior 4+ added to the program’s depth with a hard-fought 7th-place finish in one of the fastest finals ever seen in that category. Led by captains Sasha Hepler and Madison Engle, and powered by freshmen standouts Ahnolah Quigley and Emma McElroy, the crew battled through a grueling heat and repechage. With coxswain Emma Lange guiding them, they earned their place in the Grand Final, showcasing true grit and teamwork.

The Sharks’ development boats also showed promising growth throughout the weekend. The Boys Varsity 4+, stroked by Wesley Baker (Palm Bay), and the Boys Freshmen 4+ ‘B’ entry, stroked by Timothy O’Sullivan (8th grade, Sebastian River Middle School), both gained speed every round and landed in their respective B Finals. Both boats were expertly guided by rising coxswain Adrina Washco, demonstrating the team’s depth and future potential.

“Making even one fast boat is a team effort,” Lange noted. “Having a team full of them is amazing.”

While the results were impressive, the energy and culture were what truly stood out.

“Our coaches were thrilled with how everyone performed,” Lange said, “but what made us most proud was how our team supported each other all weekend. They were excited about their own results, but I think they were even more excited when their teammates crossed the line. That’s what makes this team special.”

With their spring season winding down and regional championships on the horizon, the Sharks are still going strong—and building for the future.

Summer rowing camp registration is now open. Visit SebastianCrew.org to sign up and learn more.