TSS rower’s rapid rise

From not making a crew in Year 8 to representing the First VIII as a Year 11, this TSS youngster is rising fast.

MACKENZIE Branch didn’t make a crew in his second year of rowing.

Now he’s a member of TSS’s elusive First VIII.

The 15-year-old is rowing above his years and is one of two year 11s who have been selected in the school’s premier rowing crew.

“In grade nine I decided that I really wanted to take rowing seriously and have it as my main sport so I cracked down and went from there,” he said.

“Going from year 10 where your coach and maybe a few other people were watching to the First VIII where you’re representing the greatest crew in the rowing shed is very nerve wracking.”

TSS First VIII Revealed

Branch has had to work hard to earn his place in the First VIII after never having raced in a sweep boat and never having raced more than 1500m before his debut last Saturday.

“Knowing that all the other boys had already had a year of sweep practice and I’ve only ever done quads was insane,” he said.

TSS Rowing 8 Left to right: Lockie Mactaggart, Harrison French, Lachie Wright, Mackenzie Branch, Josh Hobart, Max Cossill, Sam Gibson, Charlie Cox and Zac Botsman Photograph : Jason O'Brien

“Everyone else had spent a lot of hours in the gym but my body was nowhere near that so I had to work a lot on building up fitness and getting to the standard they needed me to be.

“It was a huge jump.”

Branch, who competes in triathlons to build fitness before each rowing season, comes from a family of rowers.

His dad has long volunteered for both TSS and St Hilda’s rowing sheds, and his sisters and cousin have represented their schools in the first division.

The youngster has relished the opportunity to carry on his family and his schools legacy.

“We want to show everyone that we can continue the vision of TSS being the school that pushes themselves to the limits and can take it up to other crews,” he said.

TESTING CAMP BEHIND TSS TITLE PUSH

Branch is hoping that TSS isn’t the crew he represents.

“I’ve always wanted to go overseas with rowing,” he said.

“I want to push it harder and see how hard and how far I can make it.”

The Southport School pictured during the Schoolboys Open Eight Div 1 at the TSS Rowing Regatta at Wyaralong Dam, Brisbane 2nd of February 2019. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

Despite finishing fifth at last weekend’s regatta, Branch isn’t concerned about his crew’s performance.

“Now that we’ve seen how we’ve gone, we know what to work on,” he said.

“This weekend, we want to really think about everything the coach has told us so we can implement it during the race.

“The competition is really intense and you have to challenge every part of yourself if you want to do well.”

TSS will return to Wyaralong Rowing Centre today for the second regatta of the GPS season.