Guilderland’s Meghan Gutknecht wins Henley Gold for rowing

Sixteen junior women rowers of the Albany Rowing Center (ARC) competed in the 132nd Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in St. Catherine’s, Ontario, Canada, with varsity rower Meghan Gutknecht, of Guilderland, winning the coveted Henley Gold in the women’s Under 19 single with a time of 8:01.421. 

Gutknecht achieved victory over 67 other entrants in her division. The Henley is noted for awarding only gold medals for their racing events. This win happened after Gutknecht returned from her participation in the 2014 US Rowing Junior World Development Team in Spain.

Additionally, the U19 women’s Quad with Ashley Cleary, Rebecca Conway, Elana DeSantis, and Meghan Gutknecht finished third out of 43 entries. The women’s U17 Coxed Four with Emily Ashton, Lizzie Brown, Josie Catalano, Meghan Smith, and Coxswain, Ana Lewandusky, finished sixth out of 28 entries. 

"I'm extremely proud of how our team performed at this highly competitive regatta,” said Head Coach Mike MacMinn. “It's such valuable experience for our kids every summer, and really helps us to set the tone for the upcoming year. I'm excited to see how much progress we can make before our championship race season next spring.”

The Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course is a rowing facility that is located in Port DalhousieSt. Catharine’sOntarioCanada. The facility was constructed in 1903 as a permanent venue for the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta. The facility is located on the Martindale Pond and is hailed as the top amateur rowing event in North America. Each year, international competitors from across Canada, the US, Europe, Australia, and Latin America come together to compete for Henley Gold.

Founded in 1984 as the Organization of Adirondack Rowers and Scullers, the Albany Rowing Center (ARC) is located on the Hudson River in downtown Albany, and is committed to providing recreational and competitive rowing opportunities for both youth and adults. For more information, visit www.albanyrowingcenter.org.

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