High Winds Halt the Pioneer Crew Team’s First Official Regatta of the Season

By Kristen Loszewski and Cathy Mizgerd

The Pioneer High School rowing club of Ann Arbor, Michigan, traveled 238 miles north to Traverse City, Mich., on Saturday, October 8, to compete in the third annual Head of the North regatta on Boardman Lake. After beginning the season with two scrimmages, the event marked the club’s first official fall regatta—and with recently elected Pioneer Rowing Club team captains now in place for the 2022-23 academic year: Raquel Burns, Joe Clynes, Brendan Kracht, Will MacQueen, Allison Miller, and Michelle Mobius.

Pioneer was one of eight rowing collectives competing in the race day, hosted by Traverse City Tritons Rowing. The clubs hailed from both Illinois and Michigan, with the Ann Arbor area represented by Pioneer, Skyline, and Saline High Schools. While the course measured 3 km in 2019 and 2021 (with the race suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), it was shortened to 2,400 meters this year and featured a challenging 485-meter turn mid-distance.

The first race began at 8:20 a.m. under a clear blue sky with sunshine and a crisp temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Winds from the southwest at 7 mph were gusting up to 16 mph. Strong winds continued through late morning, with temperatures warming by a few degrees. By early afternoon, however, conditions deteriorated; winds from the west/southwest increased to 15 mph, with maximum gusts of roughly 28 mph. The setup began to break down, with at least one buoy blowing off course.

Members of a Novice 8+ boat soak up sunlight back on land (Photo by Cathy Mizgerd)

While the day was scheduled to feature 221 entries—including 27 Pioneer boats—in 26 events, the high winds and concerns for rower safety compelled the hosts, at approximately 12:30 p.m., to cancel the day’s remaining races. The 15 canceled events would have included 14 Pioneer boats. Even in the steadily worsening conditions, four of the Pioneer boats that competed before the cancellation brought home medals, including one gold and three bronze.

“A lot of us went out there in some pretty adverse conditions today,” Pioneer High School Head Rowing Coach Scott Menoch said to student athletes after medals were presented. “What I’m interested in is the way you rowed out there and how you functioned under stress. The fact that you were focused about what you were doing says a lot about where we are headed as a team.”

“We had some good performances,” Menoch said, “but by the end of the day, the race times became completely irrelevant because they had to do with things that were completely beyond anyone’s control. Sometimes the weather just wins.”

“I am glad they made the decision to call it,” said Kracht, a team captain. “We’ll have a better opportunity at the Toledo races and Head of the Gallup; both of those being on rivers, they’ll be a little calmer.”

Other captains agreed. “I think they made the right decision at the right time,” said Clynes. “It’s unfortunate for the races that were canceled, but for the safety of the rowers, I think it’s better they didn’t row. I don’t think they would have had a good time out there.”

Next up for the Pioneer Rowing Club: On October 15, 2022, the team travels to Toledo, Ohio, to compete in race-day events on the Maumee River.

A Pioneer Mixed 8+ boat paddles to the starting line (Photo by Natalie Fulkerson)

GOLD
Women’s Novice 4+: Sofia Becker, Jordan Davis, Sofia Mackler, and Maggie Cox with Nori Njus as coxswain

BRONZE
Men’s Varsity 8+: Joe Clynes, Gavin Bassett, Rowan Higgins, John Gronewold, Brendan Kracht, Will MacQueen, Noah Fulkerson, and Foster Dugan with Georgia Busse as coxswain

Men’s Junior Varsity 8+: Henry Busse, Tyree Russell, Luca Becker, Cooper Duke, James Stross, Hansen Billionton, Calvin Ohi, and Ishai Sussman-Yitzchaki with Noah Herdrich as coxswain

Men’s Novice 8+: Arsalan Alavi, Oliver Germano, Austin Sexton, Nick Turenne, Aaron Womble, Azael (AJ) Alarcon Chuck-A-Sang, Jude Mys, and Jesper Roxstrom with Carlie Lehrmann as coxswain

MAIN PHOTO: This Pioneer Novice 4 boat gets ready to row to gold (Photo by Michela Arnaboldi)