[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING WEST POTOMAC HIGH SCHOOL VIRGINIA SCHOLASTIC ROWING 
                    CHAMPIONSHIPS GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an 
extraordinary group of young men and women in Northern Virginia. This 
year, athletes on the West Potomac crew team took four gold medals at 
the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships. These accomplished 
individuals are tenacious, driven contributors to their high school 
community,
  On April 26, 2003, West Potomac achieved its unprecedented success on 
the Occoquan River. The four first place West Potomac boats were the 
men's first four boat, the women's first four boat, the men's second 
four boat, and the women's second four boat. Crew is a difficult sport 
that requires strength, cooperation, coordination, strategy, and 
persistence. The youthful athletes of West Potomac demonstrated all of 
these traits in their quest for the state championship, and I am sure 
that they will continue to excel as sports team members and as 
citizens.
  In a thrilling race, the men's first four earned gold for West 
Potomac for the first time in 16 years. Trailing McLean for much of 
their race, the Wolverines sprinted just past their opponents in the 
closing meters for a photo finish. At the official ceremony, the 
results of the race were revealed: West Potomac won the 1,500-meter 
race by four-tenths of a second! The members of the winning men's first 
four boat were coxswain Helen McGuirk, stroke Kip Wanser, 3-seat Will 
Aramony, 2-seat Luke Urban, and bow seat Paul Burgess. These Wolverines 
took the crown from defending champion, McLean in a high-paced, 
enthralling display of teamwork and athleticism.
  The women's first four also came from behind in a tense and hard-
fought race to win their gold. Gloucester led for most of the race, 
with West Potomac taking the lead with about 500 meters remaining and 
holding off Gloucester for a 1.5-second victory. Coxswain Ashley 
Morris, stroke Natalie Jones, 3-seat Dorothy Baden-Mayer, 2-seat C.J. 
Jenkins, and bow Kate Lord made history with their win as the first 
West Potomac women's varsity quartet to claim Virginia Scholastic Gold.
  Continuing the winning streak for the Wolverines that same day was 
the men's second four boat, manned by coxswain Stephanie Zvonkovich, 
stroke Trey Burnett, 3-seat Justin Brown, bow Alex Fedgatten, and 2-
seat Andrew Norbert. West Potomac held off Mathews and Gloucester for 
the win with a time of 5:37.3.
  Members of the women's second four boat were: coxswain Ashley 
Thompson, stroke Stephanie Baker, 3-seat Amber Flynn, 2-seat Kelly 
Wernecke, and bow Moria Holt. This time it was Fairfax and West 
Springfield left behind in the Wolverines' wake, as West Potomac posted 
a winning time of 6:25.6 with their skilled and cohesive rowing.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate all of the athletes of the West Potomac High School rowing 
program. Their dedication, persistence and resolve deserve our highest 
praise. I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this group 
of extraordinary competitors.

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