This weekend, three sophomores from Pleasant Valley High School will be representing the Midwest region at the Youth Regional Challenge in Sarasota, Florida. Brenna Morley, Delaney Evans, and Emma Mask, along with Bettendorf junior Kyra VanderWeele, were selected to race against other four-people boats, or quads, from six different regions across the country.
For the three Pleasant Valley students, the fact that they get to race with their teammates from their rowing club, Y Quad Cities, is very special. Mask says, “Having all come from the same place says that we are strong together as a club with the help of our amazing coaching staff and the work everyone is willing to put in.” Evans adds that she feels “extremely lucky to be given the opportunity to represent the Midwest alongside my teammates”. She agrees with Mask and says they have worked very hard leading up to the competition.
The resumes of the sophomores are very telling of the hard work these rowers have put in and their dedication over the duration of their rowing careers. Evans and Morley teamed up last June to win the National Championship in the Women’s Lightweight double, or two-person boat, category. Together, they also won a Midwest Regional Championship title in May of 2017. Mask also won a Midwest Regional Championship title at the same competition. Additionally, the three sophomores teamed up with VanderWeele this summer to win gold in the under-17 quad at Club Nationals.
The talent in the Y Quad Cities-based boat is very apparent, and they will have the opportunity to let it shine on a big stage. In addition to the girls and boys from all over country competing at this regional challenge event, this competition takes place along side of the Senior World Rowing Championships. The girls will be able to attend the Opening Ceremonies alongside the world’s best rowers and also have the opportunity to watch the elites race for the world titles. Competing in this setting with the world watching is very exciting to Morley. “It’s such an amazing opportunity to be around world class rowers and the top junior athletes in the nation,” she says.
The excitement began when the Pleasant Valley student athletes arrived in Sarasota on Thursday evening. They will race in a heat on Saturday and hope to advance to the final held on Sunday. Regardless of the results, the experience will be unlike no other.
