Recently, three Seminole students won the John Hunter Regatta race, a rowing competition held in Gainesville, Georgia on March 23. Alex Levin and Chris Field placed second in the Junior Varsity IV (which involves four people with one oar each). Levin placed third in quad (four people, each with two oars). Field placed first in the Novice IV while Brandon Barnett placed second in the lightweight (sweep rowing).
“Rowing is a sport that involves 2, 4, or 8 people,” Levin explained. “Each sit on a movable seat and use an oar to propel through the water using primary leg [muscles].” The boat has a coxswain, who tells the rowers what to do.
Barnett, who placed second in the lightweight for sweep rowing said “Sweep rowing has 3 boats, an eight, a four, and a pair. Everything is just technique and repetition past the initial information.”
The race featured high school, college, and club teams from all over the Southeast. It provided an outlet for teamwork and served as a great source of workout.
Levin and Barnett both tried rowing at the encouragement of their parents. Levin said, “I was first introduced to crew when my mom informed me of a ‘learn to row’ session on Lake Fairview.” Levin got a feel for rowing, and ended up enjoying it a lot because “rowing is a great team sport.” He started rowing in eighth grade for a Lake Brantley Middle School program. Levin later joined the North Orlando Rowing club team because Seminole does not have a rowing team.
Barnett’s rowing experience was more recent. “I got started because my dad had recently told me a story of him rowing in college and I figured it would be an interesting sport to try,” Barnett explained.
Aside from rowing, all three boys have other activities and hobbies they are interested in. Barnett, Field, and Levin are all in the IB program; Barnett and Field are juniors, Levin is a sophomore.
Levin enjoys playing Xbox and hanging out with friends; he also plays a little bit of guitar and piano. Barnett is interested in crew, music, and school. Field is a part of Seminole’s band.
Field was unavailable for comment.
Congratulations to all three rowers!