Oregon Rowing Unlimited was riding a wave of momentum in early March.
A much-anticipated spring season was off to a strong start at a regatta in British Columbia, several of its junior rowers were eyeing a return trip to the national championships, and its membership was nearing a point where a waiting list was considered.
We all know the next twist.
Instead of putting in five hard workouts a week on the water, Will Hathaway, Lauren Garrett and their teammates spent the spring trying to stay in shape with home workouts and cross training. Modified training on the Willamette River resumed in May, which was nice.
But it wasn't until Oct. 3 that they could experience competition again.
Dubbed the Scullers Head of the Willamette, an invitation-only competition staged by ORU included 58 rowers representing six clubs.
Each participant rowed a single scull over a 4-kilometer course. Hathaway, a junior at Cleveland High, and Garrett, a sophomore at West Linn High, each had the fastest time for their division.
"It was really exciting," Garrett said. "We've been training so long and had nothing to race for."
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Lauren garrett
courtesy photo: rebecca garrett
Will hathaway
courtesy photo: kym mccornack