St Benedict’s Rowers pull out all the stops in championships held in Italy
The school has retained the title of national rowing champion for 28 consecutive years and 45 learners have national rankings.
St Benedict’s rowers, dressed in green and gold, did South Africa proud at the World Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy.
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Selected to race in the U19 South African RMB National Rowing squad, the boys gave it their all and held their own on a global stage.
Team manager and Bennies old boy, Darryn Roff, said the competition was stiff but was to be expected.
“It’s an honour to represent your country and we’re incredibly proud of how our athletes performed,” said Roff.
“The boys put on gutsy performances in Italy, which yielded exciting results.”
Gr 11 learners Mark Carriera and Conor Hurst raced in the B final of the junior men’s pair, placing 12th in the world in a time of 6:54,07.
Coach Athenkosi Hlekani, who previously coached St Benedict’s U16 team, was elated with the result.
Roff said it was an outstanding performance considering Carriera and Hurst are both first-year opens.
“With this level of talent, coupled with the experience of competing internationally, we are confident they will replicate their qualification again next year.”
The matric learners who competed included Jayden Thomson (coxswain), Dilano Sà and Ethan Romburgh.
They raced in the A final of the junior men’s coxed four and placed fourth with 6:16,60.
“This was an exceptional performance not only for our boys but for South Africa,” said Roff.
“Finishing their school rowing careers on this high is a significant milestone for these young men and an achievement to be celebrated.”
He wished them equal success as the learners knuckle down in preparation for their final exams.
Rowing is a flagship sport at St Benedict’s.
The school has retained the title of national rowing champion for 28 consecutive years and 45 learners have national rankings.
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Learners at the school often look forward to the start of the rowing season, which started in September.
“Rowing is a sport that requires unbelievable discipline and ongoing perseverance,” said Roff.
He highlighted that Carriera, Hurst, Thomson, Sà and Romburgh bear testimony to hard work paying off.
“Commitment to rowing goes beyond the learners with parents, teachers and coaches equally dedicated to our school and the greater rowing community’s collective success and or that we are truly grateful,” said Roff.
“All this bodes well for the future of rowing in this country.”
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