As we exit the frigid chills of winter and enter the blossoming spring season, the RWA State Championships in Western Australia will bring two packed days full of action to the Champion Lakes racecourse. The U19’s will have a new test this weekend with singles making their WA Championship debut. Ambitions will be high as athletes eye off the title as the fastest junior sculler in Western Australia.
Bunbury Rowing Club – Aiden Behan
Aiden Behan has proven great potential racing for Bunbury Rowing Club, coming home with multiple podiums at the third Pennant Regatta, securing Bronze in the U19 men’s single and a Silver in the men’s D-grade double. He has also greatly improved from his first single scull time of 9:10 in Pennant Regatta two to a strong fifth place with a time of 8:15 in Pennant Regatta four. Expect Aiden to be on the lookout for a strong podium medal this coming weekend.
Curtin University – Nishaan Sunner
Nishaan Sunner is making his debut representing Curtin University for the first time. Formerly rowing for All Saints’ College, he started the season with a strong result of third Place in this category and with a time of 8:19 at Pennant Regatta one. Unfortunately, he has been absent from entries for the past three races since the first regatta. This coming weekend is an excellent opportunity for Nishaan to embrace the new colours of Curtin University. Expect that Sunner will prove his strong result from the first Pennant Regatta.
Fremantle Rowing Club – Tadhg Bryan
At the first Pennant Regatta, Tadhg Bryan laid down an impressive time of 7:04; however, he has faced recent challenges, clocking in an 8:53 as his most recent result. While the results are mixed, his early speed has proved his capability to deliver a promising result. Tadhg has the potential this weekend to re-affirm his early success and rediscover the rhythm and race sharpness that allowed him to achieve such an impressive time. If he can find that early-season pace, we are ensured a close race to the finish line this coming weekend.
Swan River Rowing Club – Jeremy Flavel
One of four entries for Swan River Rowing Club, Jeremy Flavel has had a plethora of high-end results representing the club. Flavel has won the U19 men’s single scull division twice, won the men’s C-grade single scull three times, and is a one-time winner of the C-grade eight, coxed quad, coxed four and B-grade double. All his wins have been through his racing aggression, resulting in at least a three-second margin. We can foresee Jeremy flying through the finish line in the mix for a Gold medal.
Swan River Rowing Club – Edward Moharich
Edward Moharich, like Jeremy Flavel, has had a range of high-end results in past Pennant Regattas, including a win alongside Flavel in the C-grade eight and coxed quad. He has proven himself alongside his fellow club members. Unfortunately, in the Single Scull, he has struggled to replicate this success. Rest assured, his spirit when competing alongside others is sure to keep him in the fight for a strong result this coming weekend.
Swan River Rowing Club – Banjo Morris-Luck
Banjo Morris-Luck is looking to prove his potential for a promising podium with multiple wins alongside a 25-second improvement from his first race and win in the U19 men’s single, going from an 8:11 on his debut race to a 7:47 in his most recent. He has also had a number of notable results, coming home with a gold medal in the B-grade double Scull and A-grade eight. Banjo is a serious contender for the Gold Medal this weekend alongside Jeremy Flavel.
Swan River Rowing Club – Lachlan Beaton
The last entry for the Swan River Rowing Club, Lachlan Beaton, hasn’t skipped out on his share of standout results across multiple categories, including two wins in the C-grade eight and a solid win in the C-grade coxed quad. His racing spirit alongside his teammates has been a driving force, and his unwavering need for improvement has been shown through his near-minute improvement in the U19 single, going from a 9:01 in his first race to 8:08 in his last race. Expect Lachlan to be thundering down the course, giving his all for a podium result.
West Australian Rowing Club – Kayden Simmons
One of two entries for the West Australian Rowing Club and an abundance of podium results, Kayden Simmons has shown his capability mainly in the D, C and B-grade eight. In the past two Pennant Regattas, he has also proven his potential in the Single Scull through a 15-second improvement between his first and most recent appearance in the U19 division. Expect Kayden to be mixing it at the rear of the field, battling it out with the Swan River Rowing Club contingent for a position on the podium.
West Australian Rowing Club – Adam Round
Adam Round has had a variety of mixed results in past regattas. He struggled in his debut race in the U19 single, yet had two podiums in the C and B-grade eight. His results highlight the contrast between his ability to deliver a promising result when surrounded by his teammates and individually. Expect Adam to renew his rhythm in the single this coming weekend.
Prediction
The race for the podium is expected to be a fierce battle all the way down the course. I will tentatively pick Jeremy Flavel to build upon an early lead to the very end to leave the other Swan River athletes to battle it out with those of the West Australian Rowing Club for the Silver and Bronze medals. I would have to go with my gut and say Banjo Morris-Luck will take the runner-up position, and Lachlan Beaton will take home the Bronze.
