Rowers Place at State Championship

Rowers Left to Right- Harper Tomcany, Zach Hudson, Bryce Clarke, Sam Tomcany, Will Lang, and Eloise Leslie. Back Row- Finn McKinster.

The Mathews High School varsity crew traveled to Sandy Run Regional Park in Occoquan,

Virginia to compete in the 2026 Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association’s state championship

regatta. There were 54 schools making 187 entries in the day long competition. Racing in the

Men’s Senior Double final, Sam Tomcany and Bryce Clarke captured the bronze medal finish

(6:02.3) in the 1500 meter race behind winner Western Albemarle (5:46.9), silver finisher

Albemarle (5:49.9) and ahead of Fairfax (6:19.9) with James River (6:46.8) finishing out the field.

In the Men’s Junior Single event, novice freshman Finn McKinster experienced his first state

championship level racing. In the trial heats, McKinster’s time did not qualify him for the final,

however he managed 10th overall in a field of 12 in the event.

For the Men’s Senior Single event, Will Lang representing Williamsburg Classical Academy and Zach Hudson who attends Gloucester High School, have been training for competition with Mobjack Rowing Association’s spring racing program. Racing as students from their respective schools in 3 qualifying heats, Lang and Hudson had to be in the top 2 finishes in their heat to advance to the final. Lang placed 2nd in his heat to advance and Hudson, who was in a very fast heat, just missed making the finals with a time that was fourth fastest of all 13 heat times. Lang placed sixth in the finals in his first attempt at State competition.

“For our small team, I am impressed with the improvements everyone has made this season,” said Coach Tim Ulsaker. “We are much closer to the speed we need to race at national competition levels and I look forward to working with these young adults to help them achieve their goals.”