White Rock Rowing Takes Texas and Tennessee by Storm

White Rock Rowing (WRR) continues its rise as a fierce competitor in the region and on the national stage. The crew positioned itself as the top boathouse from the Dallas area and third in the state in the point standings at the Head of the Hooch, the nation’s second-largest regatta. All of this is following an outstanding winning streak at Head of the Colorado in Austin, and Head of the Oklahoma where juniors and masters contributed to the most impressive results in its fall racing history.

In Austin, juniors and masters teams continued their winning streak bringing home 6 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze medals and won 3 coveted medals, 1 silver and 2 bronze at the Head of the Hooch. While all of these results are noteworthy, the medals won at Head of the Hooch, the nations second largest regatta with over 2,000 entries, saw only one other Dallas crew team medal in one event.

We take pride in our junior athletes impressing college recruiters from around the country. WRR alumni include rowers at Brown University, University of Texas, University of Massachusetts, Purdue, University of Tennessee, Temple University, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Delaware among others.

WRR is and has always been, since its mission began ten years ago, committed to giving scholarships and financial aid to juniors who want to discover the sport of rowing. We welcome all high school and middle school students to join us at our Learn to Row Day this Thanksgiving Break, Monday, November 20^th from 10:00 – noon at the White Rock Boathouse on White Rock Lake. For more information see our website at whiterockrowing.org

Congratulations to Kaira Lay, Sam Prado, Connor Alexander, Drew Ellis, Will Schweizer, Andrew Schweizer and Luis Prado for their outstanding results at Head of the Hooch.

About White Rock Rowing

DALLAS, July 10, 2017– Andrew Witcher has been named the 2017 recipient of White Rock Rowing’s John Mullen $1000 College Scholarship for his commitment, success and leadership as a junior athlete. Witcher is the sixth recipient of the annual scholarship program initiated in 2013 in honor of John and Anne Mullen. 

Witcher, who heads to University of Delaware in the fall as a mechanical engineering major and member of the school’s successful rowing team, is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts.

He joined White Rock Rowing at the beginning of his junior year, and has won numerous medals with the team. "Witcher led by example with great effort and inspired by his commitment to the sport. He showed up ready to compete every day at practice and always encouraged his teammates to be better while putting in the hard work”, said Sebastian Peter, Varsity Boys coach.

During the past two years, Witcher has placed 1st in the lightweight 8+ Head of the Oklahoma, 1st in the lightweight double at Head of the Brazos, 4th in the lightweight single, and second place in the lightweight single at the Head of the Colorado. He also had a fourth place finish in the lightweight double event in the Central Youth Championship.

 As recipients of the Anne and John Mullen scholarships, Witcher received $1,000 toward his college education.  John Mullen, considered a founding father of Dallas rowing, began organizing collegiate regattas on White Rock Lake in the 1980s and had the vision to bring club rowing back to its waters.  He was instrumental in developing both White Rock Boathouse, Inc., and the Dallas Rowing Club on Bachman Lake. Through rowing, he has provided Dallas youth the opportunity to experience teamwork, commitment, responsibility, competition and the pursuit of excellence - qualities recognized by the Mullen Scholarships.

About White Rock Rowing

Currently hosting summer rowing camps for middle and high school students, White Rock Rowing offers a comprehensive, year-round juniors club program with rowers from schools throughout the Dallas area. Adult, and adaptive rowing programs designed for people with physical limitations, complete the mix.  White Rock Rowing is partly funded through proceeds from The Filter Building allowing scholarships and financial assistance to junior rowers who would otherwise be unable to participate in the sport.

White Rock Rowing (WRR) advanced 14 of 18 boats to the finals at Central Youth Championships in Oklahoma City, May 6-7. Five of those finals resulted in medals and the Men’s Youth Quad and Women’s Youth Pair qualified to compete at US Rowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota Florida on June 9-11.

The Women’s Pair took to the water bright and early for the first race of the day. Sam Prado and Kaira Lay advanced to the finals in the Women’s Youth Pair. Having fought hard in a competitive field of women they finished 3^rd and secured the roll down bid to advance to Youth Nationals. Following their race, Conner Alexander, Andrew Schweizer, Will Schweizer and Drew Ellis advanced the Men’s Youth Quad to finals. The boys devoted months to training together and faced off tough competition finishing 2^nd in the final securing their position as an automatic qualifier for US Rowing Youth Nationals.

“It was a great step to have 2 boats qualify for Youth Nationals this year.  Not only does it reward the athletes who will be going to Sarasota, it has inspired their teammates to work even harder in the hopes of joining these athletes (all of the qualifiers will return next year) in the future”, said Ed Golding, WRR ‘s junior head coach.

Youth Championships hosts nearly 1,000 athletes representing 19 teams from across Texas, Oklahoma Colorado, Arkansas and Kanas. The 2,000-meter, 2 –day competitive event is held at the US Rowing National High-Performance Center in OKC.

WRR offers middle school, high school, adult and adaptive rowing programs. Our youth summer camps are open for enrollment. For more information contact Ed Golding at edgolding@whiterockrowing.org, or see our website at whiterockrowing.org.

White Rock Rowing Mullen Scholarship Awarded DALLAS, June 10, 2016

Lexie Haerle has been named the 2016 recipient of White Rock Rowing’s Mullen Scholarships for her commitment, success and leadership as a junior athlete. Haerle is the sixth recipient of the annual scholarship program initiated in 2013 in honor of John and Anne Mullen.

Haerle, who heads to University of Tennessee in the fall, plans to row for the Tennessee Crew Club team. She is a graduate of Dallas Lutheran School where she played basketball her freshman year until discovering rowing as a sophomore. Lexie immediately recognized she had found her sport.

She rowed with White Rock Rowing for 3 years, winning medals and encouraging her fellow athletes to stay focused. Lexie was a leader and role model for all her teammates, inspiring them with her dedication to hard work and her commitment to year round training and success on the water. She never gave up, she led her by example, and her teammates looked up to her.

As recipients of the Anne and John Mullen scholarships, Haerle received $1,000 toward her college education. John Mullen, considered a founding father of Dallas rowing, began organizing collegiate regattas on White Rock Lake in the 1980s and had the vision to bring club and regular rowing back to its waters. He was instrumental in developing both White Rock Boathouse, Inc., and the Dallas Rowing Club on Bachman Lake. Through rowing, he has provided Dallas youth the opportunity to experience teamwork, commitment, responsibility, competition and the pursuit of excellence - qualities recognized by the Mullen Scholarships.

About White Rock Rowing: Currently hosting summer rowing camps for middle and high school students, White Rock Rowing offers a comprehensive, year-round juniors club program with rowers from various schools throughout the Dallas area. Adult, Adaptive Rowing programs designed for people with physical limitations, and a Veterans program complete the mix.

Our focus on promoting rowing for all includes outreach that puts oars and opportunity in the hands of people who otherwise might not experience the sport we’re so passionate about. Through proceeds from The Filter Building, White Rock Rowing offers financial assistance to junior rowers who would otherwise be unable to participate.

For more information contact whiterockrowing.org, or info@whiterockboathouse.com.

White Rock Rowing Host Wounded Warrior Project

White Rock Rowing (WRR) was selected as the host for a Learn To Row for nearly 60 injured veterans, as part of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Soldier Ride, on Saturday, Sept. 12^th. . For all of the participants this was their first experience with rowing.

Nearly 60 Wounded Warriors took part in a life changing, 34-mile cycling event through Dallas and Ft Worth. On Friday, September 11, the soldiers cycled the first 16-mile leg of their ride in Ft. Worth. Saturday, the group rode 18 miles through Dallas, ending at White Rock Boathouse to cap off their active weekend by learning to row.

This was an incredible opportunity for WRR to show their ongoing support for our veterans, and to introduce them to a sport that has had such an impact on so many who participates in it.

“It was a tremendous honor to coach the men and women from the Wounded Warrior Project. Despite the challenges they face every day, they aren’t afraid to seek new adventures that prioritize physical, mental, and emotional fitness through sport and teamwork, they are a true inspiration”, said Rachel Spielberg, Women’s Head Coach at White Rock Rowing. The soldiers that participated were quick to learn, tough as nails, and didn’t give up, traits that veterans inherently posses in work and in life.

“White Rock Rowing has been committed to their adaptive rowing program, and this was unquestionably one of the most extraordinary days at our Boathouse. To be in the presence of so many Wounded Warriors that personify the inspiration of sacrifice, and perseverance, and show us the true meaning of dedication was inspiring,” said Mary Condon, the White Rock Rowing specialized Adaptive Head Coach. The smiles on all the faces said it all, and White Rock Rowing was honored to be a part of this event through the Wounded Warrior Project.

About Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride: Soldier Ride often serves as an introductory program for WWP veterans. The national program brings service members together for a long weekend focused on physical health, wellness, and healing. In addition to cycling, they will participate in activities that supplement their journey toward a healthy lifestyle. Veterans will learn how to prepare a healthy meal during a cooking class, as well as physical activities like golf, white water and adaptive rowing. What may appear as a fun weekend getaway actually serves as a retreat to provide veterans with an opportunity to lean on one another for support and the empowerment they need to take on civilian life. More information on Soldier Ride is available at soldierride.org

About White Rock Rowing: White Rock Rowing offers a variety of programs for youth, adults and adaptive rowers at White Rock Boathouse on White Rock Lake. Starting in 2005, White Rock Rowing has been promoting teamwork, and leadership. Since its inception, WRR has built a rowing community whose mission is to put oars and opportunities in the hands of those who would otherwise not have the chance to row. Both novice and experienced rowers are welcome. For more information about getting out on the water, visit our website at whiterockrowing.org