Washington-Lee Crew sent five of its 8 shells to Philadelphia this past weekend to compete in the prestigious Stotesbury Cup Regatta.  With 5,500 athletes, racing almost 1,000 boats from 194 schools, Stotesbury 2010 became the oldest and largest high school rowing competition in the world to date.

Friday, rowers competed in heats to determine the top boats that moved to the semifinals and finals on Saturday.  The W-L Men's 2nd Varsity 8 finished an amazing 10th place, with John Pastre as stroke, securing their place in Saturday's semifinal while knocking out local rival Yorktown.  The Women's 2nd Varsity 8, with stroke Lana Allen, finished 15th leaving behind prep programs Sidwell Friends and St. Andrews among others.  The Women's Varsity 8 coxswain  Kate Fleming led her boat to a 21st place finish and the Men's Varsity 8, coxed by Will Dickinson, placed 22nd missing the semis by just over two seconds.  Starting off the Friday heats was the Women's Freshmen 8 who, with stroke Zoe Van Grack, also placed 22nd.  While besting Yorktown (#36), the frosh Women just missed their final by little more than two seconds. 

In the semis on Saturday, the Men's 2V 8 rowed hard for a spectacular 4th place just over two seconds from a final spot but beating some of the country's top programs including Holy Spirit and Chaminade.

-Kate Mesches