Rowing Team Sweeps in Vancouver, Wash.

By Marty Zier

The OIR Crew Spring 2011 : Photo by Martin Taylor

The Orcas Island Rowing Association (OIRA) is a small club with only one senior and junior amongst their 12 young members. The NW Junior District Championship Regatta held May 19-22 at Lake Vancouver in Vancouver, WA is a huge 3 day finale boasting over 600 competitors groomed from the most prominent and elite rowing clubs from Washington, Oregon and Idaho.

Presumably an imposing event for our small-town Orcas rowers…

Coach Tina Brown and OIRA founders and backbone, Mike Reid and Dave Roseberry, came prepared as usual with a van full of energetic personalities abounding with typical Orcas flare carting boats called The Mike and Dave, Sven and Ollie and some flamboyant rowers sporting special buzz cuts created just for the event. A lighthearted sight, at times, that would make the Odd Fellows proud.

But this team came determined to race, not just play around…

Early Saturday morning the well-trained and focused Orcas rowers exploded on what Coach Tina Brown called “…by FAR the best Regional Regatta we have ever had.” Sophomore Jake Zier opened up with Gold in the Men’s Varsity Heavyweight Single while minutes later Senior Jacqlynn Zier took Bronze in the Women’s Varsity Single. Not to be outdone, Junior Mikail Van Maren and 8th grader Jay Zier blasted to Gold in the Men’s Novice Double. Sophomore Tamara Klein ripped a Gold in the Women’s 2nd Varsity Single and Sophomore Josh Bronn out-powered the field to a Silver in the Men’s 2nd Varsity Single while combining with Jake Zier for a Bronze in the Men’s Varsity Double.

By Sunday afternoon, the Orcas rowers had added impressive results from Sophomore Max Blackadar with a 4th place in the Men’s Lightweight Single, a 4th place finish from Mikail Van Maren in the Men’s Novice Single, a 5th place finish from Bailey Johnson in the Women’s Lightweight Single, a 5th place finish from Garret Pietsch in the Men’s 2nd Varsity Single, a 6th place finish for Melanie Flint and Bailey Johnson in the Women’s 2nd Varsity Double, a 6th place finish from Garrett Pietsch and Zack Wolford in the Men’s 2nd Varsity Double.

Absorbing the success of the weekend, proud Coach Tina Brown confirmed that Jacqlynn Zier, Josh Bronn and Jake Zier have qualified for the Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, Tennessee on June 10th -12th and that “Orcas Island Rowing has definitely come up a notch or two!” She offered many thanks to the supporting parents and especially to parent volunteers Sam Blackadar and David Johnson, who both took on massive responsibilities to support the team.

Due to conflicts with graduation and academic demands not to mention a severe shortage of cash the Orcas rowers that qualified will not be going to Nationals this year. Jake and Josh expect to qualify again next year with even better times and a real chance to bring home some National Gold next year. And there are others on the team now who still have time and promise to go along too. So look out next year!

Tamara Klein with her HUGE trophy: Photo by Melanie Flint

Jay Zier and Mikail Van Maren: First Regionals: First Place: Photo by Melanie Flint

Those shells are REALLY skinny!: Captain Jacq: Photo by Melanie Flint

Jake Zier and Josh Bronn: Way to go guys! Do it again next year! : Photo by Melanie Flint

Triumphant ferry ride home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!