NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River favourites St Catherine’s live up to expectations at Penrith, results

The defending champions were missing but this crew lived up to pre-race expectations to take a sensational victory in the NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River on Saturday.

The victorious St Catherine’s crew at Penrith on Saturday.

They were tipped for success and the inform crew from St Catherine’s Waverley lived up to the pre-race hype with a sensational win in the NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River at Penrith on Saturday.

The crew of Madeline Manins, Bianca Rupnik Williams, Sienna Morgan, Chelsea Baker, Erin Kara, Leila Gaston, Madeline Swain. Jade Bliss and Sophie Castellas lead from the front to claim victory in the eight main event at the regatta on Saturday.

The victory extended the golden run of the crew this season with a trip to Western Australia for the Australian championships next week now on the agenda for the crew.

On Saturday St Catherine's (6.38.08) beat Queenwood (6:43.24), a school with a strong record at the event, with Pymble Ladies third (6:52.82) and Loretta Kirribilli (7:09.10).

Hunter Valley Grammar were a scratching from the race.

SCHOOLBOY HEAD OF THE RIVER

The victorious crew at Penrith on Saturday.

“Pretty much everything went to plan. We knew Queenwood and Pymble would be strong and try and put us under pressure early and they really took it to us in the first 1000m,’’ said St Catherine’s head of rowing, Richard Coakley.

“But they stayed calm, took the pressure.’’

The victorious Kinross rowers last year. Picture: Supplied

In other major results on Saturday, Canberra Grammar won the 1st Coxed Quad Scull from

Radford College ACT and Redlands with the Schoolgirl Year 10 Single Scull won by Ascham, PLC Sydney and Canberra Grammar.

Canberra Grammar won the Schoolgirl Year 10 double scull from Ascham and Newcastle Grammar while the schoolgirls four was won by Canberra Girls, Roseville and Canberra Grammar.

The Schoolgirl Year 10 1st Eight was won by Kinross Wolaroi from Loreto Kirribilli and

Loreto Normanhurst.

THURSDAY: They are the defending champions but there’s a good reason Kinross won’t be in the medal chase at the NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River on Saturday.

Kinross Wolaroi head rowing coach said respect for their rivals coupled with a rebuilding phase will see the defending schoolgirl champions absent from the main event at Penrith Regatta Centre on Saturday.

Adam Harrison said depleted Year 12 numbers, a focus on juniors, a decision to build depth and “respect” is behind the decision to field a crew in 2023.

“We have been strong in the schoolgirl eight recently. We won it for first time in 2021 and then backed up in 2022,’’ Harrison said.

“This year we only have three year 12s and we're focusing instead on our juniors with the priority boat the schoolgirls Year 10 eight.

“What we are trying to do is try and build depth, plan for the future with a little rebuild.

“It’s also out of respect for how good the other schools are.’’

Harrison believe St Catherine’s Waverley crew should assume favouritism for the race but said there is another crew who can never be discounted.

“St Catherine’s are very good. They could win nationals,’’ he said.

“But Queenwood have a nice history here as well. Their coaches also have a lot of experience.’’

Kinross rowers won in 2021 and 2022. Picture: Supplied

Multiple winners Queenwood finished behind Kinross and Pymble Ladies last year with St Catherine’s fifth.

St Catherine’s head of rowing, Richard Coakley, said the majority of his crew have been together for some years.

They also bring good form into the event with a NSW crown and wins at recent lead-up regattas.

“We are in a good position. Hopefully the girls can keep it up,’’ he said.

Harrison said the boys quad will be the school’s focus on Sunday at the NSW Schoolboy Head of the River event.

“The schoolboy quad is our flagship boat. They have been struggling a bit but we haven’t seen our best performance yet. If they do deliver they will be very competitive,’’ he said.

“Our Year 10 quad is pretty good, they are undefeated and won the Head of the River last year.

“They are a hope of getting success there if they execute their plan.’’

Harrison said St Ignatius Riverview is his tip for the Schoolboy Head of the River.

“They are looking great for the schoolboy eight. They are undefeated and won the state championships. I’d like to think they will go all the way to the Australian titles.

“It would be spectacular for NSW rowing if we could get both eight schools titles for NSW. “I’m not sure it’s ever been done.’’

The Head of the River on Sunday is open to all schoolboy competitors from across the state and interstate who will race single sculls, double sculls, quad sculls, fours and eights.

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