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Way to go, Thomas! In three weeks, he’s competing at the 2016 USRowing Youth National Championships at Princeton. He and rowing partner Henry qualified after finishing third at the Midwest Junior Rowing Championships.
We’re so proud of Thomas’s dedication to training. Born in the UK, he picked up rowing at age 13 after moving to the United States, thanks to Mr. Jonty Faulkner, a Chemistry Specialist at BISC South Loop. Thomas joined Chicago Rowing Foundation (CRF) and has worked his way from a Novice to Varsity Level rower over the last three years.
Rowing is a very competitive sport, and CRF rowers face off for placement in competitions through seat races. This season, Thomas earned a seat in Varsity 8 (eight-man boat races) and went on to row at the Greater Chicago Rowing Championships where he, his team, and fellow Bulldog Cameron, as Coxswain, won Gold.
After a fierce seat race with his best friend, Thomas missed out on rowing the V8 in the next competition, the Midwest Junior Rowing Championships. But he was determined to compete, turning up to every Junior Varsity practice with enthusiasm and focus. Thomas’s coach was impressed and placed him in a rowing pair for the contest!
At the race in Cincinnati, Thomas and Henry rowed together for the very first time, emerging out of the glare of the sunset and taking third place in the final. They beat crews who had no doubt trained for months and years. With this win, the boys qualified for the National Championships.
When one door shuts, another opens!
Good luck to Thomas and Henry.