South South Crews Race on the Neponset River

Under blue skies and against strong winds, rowing teams from Milton, Hingham, Quincy and competed in the first South Shore Novice Challenge on Sunday, November 6th, 2011.

The rowing race on the Neponset River, a head race with a distance of 2 miles, drew over a couple hundred spectators to the shores of Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester. It was organized by a collaboration of their respective coaches to expand the opportunties for novice rowers to gain more experience in competition. This was Quincy's first season and Milton's second season.

Trophies were awarded to the winning crews for both girls' eights and boys' eights. The Milton women took first place and were awarded their trophy in honor of Marjorie Burgard. Ms. Burgard, a native of Cohasset currently living in Duxbury, is a rowing sensation, who continues to compete internationally. She has won gold medals in the Head of the Charles and Works Masters regatta. She is also the only woman to be inducted into the Order of Oars at the 2010 World event.

The Hingham men took the trophy awarded in the name of Milton native Judge George Hurd. Hurd was one of Harvard University's outstanding singles rowers. In 1940, he won 1st place in the Junior New England Sculling Championship. While a student at Havard, he also coached the the Boston University Crew from
1940-1942. Both Ms. Burgard and Judge Hurd were on hand for the event and the presentation of the trophies.

This day was sensational,commented John Rhee, President of the Friends of Milton Crew. The coaches came together to provide an opportunity for these novice rowers and to take advantage of this great South Shore asset, the Neponset. The weather was great. The competition was great. And to have these
two rowing standouts, Ms. Burgard and Judge Hurd, on hand to inspire us all was just fantastic.

The race truly was a challenge. Strong winds temporarily blew the Hingham boat slightly off course and resulted in some equipment damage. The Milton women's crew also experienced equipment failure. However, both crews fought, on each crew down 2 seats, and rowed the race. That they finished with the times they did was remarkable.

At the presentation of the trophies, Judge Hurd summed up what everyone was feeling at the moment: "I am just so proud of you all."

The Nauset Regional High School Crew who row out of Brewster was also invited to the event as a guest participant.

The official results are:

Race 1: Mens Jr 8+ @10:30 AM
1st Place, Hingham High School: 17:35.86
2nd Place, Nauset Regional High School: 18:43.70
3rd Place, Thayer Academy/Quincy: 19:39.30
4th Place, Milton High School: 20:14.48

Race 2: Womens Jr 8+ @11:15 AM
1st Place, Nauset Regional High School: 20:47.52
2nd Place, Milton High School: 20:58.01
3rd Place, Hingham High School - A: 21:06.94
4th Place, Thayer Academy/Quincy: 24:32.45
5th Place, Hingham High School - B: 25:19.22

For information about Milton Crew please visit their web site at http://www.miltoncrew.org or email
them at info@miltoncrew.org.

About Milton Crew

Milton Crew is a rowing program for Milton High School, organized and supported by the Friends of Milton Crew, a non-profit organization separate from the Milton Public Schools. We are devoted to the idea that rowing builds personal strength, both physical and mental, through preparation, performance and teamwork. The program aims to help rowers achieve excellence by overcoming personal limits and learning to work in a team environment. Local and national level competition will serve to focus the efforts of rowers and coaches alike and provide the opportunity to test the limits set, both as individuals and as a crew.

–Milton Crew