North Allegheny rowers gave exceptional effort in Indy

Jerry Clark
Sports Editor
Thursday, August 3, 2006

North Allegheny rowers have achieved a high standard once again, this time in Indianapolis as 13 of 14 boats surpass heats at the U.S. rowing National Championships.

"Their effort was truly outstanding," said Aaron LeDonne, North Allegheny coach. "Now they are at the Junior Worlds in Amsterdam."

Brittany Kelly, Erin Dauson, Brianna Pittman and Steel City rower Suzanne Maddama brought home the National Championship in the women's 18 and under quadruple scull race. The foursome also brought home a bronze medal in women's senior quad race and took fourth in the intermediate quad race, made up of college rowers. Maddama also earned an individual junior A scull title.

"They excelled in all three events," LeDonne said.

LeDonne said the girls practiced three times a day, including two times in the water, and one running session in the afternoon from June until the end of July in addition to their extensive workout during the rest of the year.

"The girls accomplished everything we hoped they could," said Don Heckenstaller, coach. "By taking the U.S. national title in their own age bracket and rowing strong against more experienced competitors and they have proven they are ready for the Junior Worlds."

Heckenstaller and the girls are currently in Amsterdam competing in the race.

"This will be a phenomenal experience for them," LeDonne said.

The men's team faired well too, as they earned a National Championship plus took a silver and two bronze medals. Brian Marcus and Ryan Mohan earned gold in the men's B under 16 double scull. Their boatmates Jim Rectenwald and Dan Jefferies took silver in the junior B quadruple scull competition. Joel Mackay, Mark Dissen, Kameron Palagi and Andrew Spirk earned the bronze in the same event. In the man's junior quadruple scull, the team of Mark Nolfi, Alan Meininghaus, Steve Marcus and Bill Francis earned a bronze medal.

LeDonne said the men workout differently than the women and focus more on the technical aspects of rowing, and do so five days a week. The work paid off as North Allegheny was the only school to have two teams represented in the finals.

"It was truly awesome," he said. "The guys put in a full effort despite a malfunction."

During the race the North Allegheny men's B boat suffered damage to the ring that holds the orr in place.

The boat had to be turned around, so the problem could be repaired. The rower got the boat back, got it fixed, and still took off rowing for all they were worth to get back into the race.

"These guys were phenomenal. This is a young team," LeDonne said.

"Every one of our boys made it to at least one final, and we came home with three medals. I couldn't be prouder of them."