Rowing to the top

Stefanie Frith

Sunday was Newport Beach’s day to shine as eight teams from the

Newport Aquatic Center took top billing at the Newport Autumn Rowing

Festival in the bay. More than 1,300 high school and college-age athletes

competed from Southern and Northern California in the 2.7-mile course,

which runs from the Lido Isle Bridge to the aquatic center.

First-place honors went to the boys’ novice eight-person team, girls’

novice eight-person team, girls’ varsity eight-person team and the girls’

varsity four-person team. Second-place honors went to the boys’ varsity

four-person team; and third place went to the boys’ varsity eight-person

team, boys’ double team and boys’ lightweight solo rower.

“This was our best show yet, and I think that the fact that we have

intensified our program and become very selective had a lot to do with

it,” said Louis Bronstein, boys’ varsity coach.

For story on the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival, see Page 2.