After having won the gold in their “Straight 4” boat at the New England Regionals, Ridgefield High School seniors Claire Poremba, Katie and Sarah Rapaglia and Julia Clavi competed in Sarasota, Florida at the 2022 USRowing Youth Nationals and brought home GOLD!
Their GMS Club boat was comprised solely of RHS athletes, beat out much larger teams and took the Gold.
Achieving great things requires dedication and sacrifice. The talented rowers had to forgo homecoming, prom, and graduation while sustaining their solid grades.
One of the proud parents remarked, “Rarely is one boat composed of kids totally from one high school; it’s kind of a fairytale ending after four years rowing together.”
[Proudly standing in solidarity as seniors and RHS Tigers, the girls speak about their race and their commitment to one another and to the sport - watch the video at 33:00]
Claire, Katie, Sarah and Julia train two hours per day in addition to making the trek to the Housatonic six days per week - all year long - rain or shine!
The girls are now in Chula Vista, Ca. at an Olympic training center, training with other selection finalists vying for a spot on the US team which will compete at Worlds in late July.
These members of the RHS community will carry their Ridgefield experience on to the University of Wisconsin, the University of Virginia and Notre Dame respectively where each has been awarded a substantial scholarship.
Wow!
Congratulations - you are each a shining example of what it means to persevere and work as a team.
