The Academy Crew Team finished their season with pizzazz at the Halloween Regatta and the Head of the Hooch last weekend.  Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Head of the Hooch is the second largest fall regatta in the nation, sporting more than 1.500 entries this year.
“We had high expectations for both regattas,” said Academy head coach Jorge Rodriguez, “and we definitely met them… We had a very respectable finish.”

At the Halloween regatta, the varsity quad earned third place overall. The novice quad placed fifth overall, and their time beat several varsity boats from competing teams.
“I’m really proud of what our girls did today. We had a really great showing at one of the biggest head races in the state,” said co-captain Aubrey McGuire.
The real show-stopper was not the varsity, however, but the novice rowers. In a highly competitive race, the novice 8+ stunned the entire venue by placing second – losing only to Sarasota Crew, the top club in the state.
“I am so proud of our novice girls. The whole team, really, they did exceptionally well; I knew they would do well at the Hooch,” said Coach Rodriquez.
At the Hooch, Academy’s varsity 4+ finished 44th overall and fourth scholastically – competing with more than 85 boats from across the nation. Both varsity quads had impressive finishes also – with the A boat finishing 25th overall and second scholastically, and the B boat taking fourth place scholastically.
Crew’s fall season officially ended with the Hooch, but Academy has no intention of slacking off.
“It’s crew – we don’t take breaks” said Coach Rodriguez. “I have high expectations for this team next season. I see several boats going to Nationals, so we can’t afford to slack off for a second… Yes, it was a great season, but now it’s time to get back to work.”
After a week-long break, AHNRC will begin winter conditioning for the spring season – preparing for what is yet another successful year.