A Team of Mackay Rowing Club (MRC) rowers competed at the Queensland Masters State Championships over the May Day long weekend at Lake Yyaralong.
The nine rowers brought home an impressive haul of 18 medals (1 Gold, 10 silvers and 7 Bronze). Highlights of the weekend rowing included the long-established doubles crew of Tony Lloyd (MRC) and Jim Stafford (Wide Bay Rowing Club WBRC) to take out the gold in their age group, to once again be crowned Queensland champions. The Wohlfhart and Jamieson crew rowed strongly for 3rd place in their first competitive event together.
First time medallist at this level of competition Richard McGrath came away with three silver and one bronze, while Mick Wohlfhart came home with two bronze medals. Ann Jensen raced a program of six events where she rowed in both MRC crews and composite boats with WBRC.
Interclub rivalry in the championship’s mixed Masters GJ doubles saw three Mackay crews line up alongside each other at the starting line. After giving the older half of the crews in the field a 9 second head start, the race was on for club honours. Tony and Sabina Lloyd led out strongly with Jane Deguara and Terry Jamieson in pursuit. Marie Simmonds and Mick Wohlfhart crabbed at the start. At the business end of the course the Mackay crews had overtaken one of the older crews for Deguara and Jamieson to take out club bragging rights with a bronze medal. The Lloyds were next over the line, promptly followed by Simmonds and Wohlfhart.
Jane Deguara and Therese Clancy continued their form in their respective single events with both claiming a bronze medal each. Jane and Therese’s combined event in a double scull saw the duo bring home another silver.
The mixed quad of Deguara, Jamieson, McGrath and Clancy were impressive for their silver behind the dominant Townsville Riverway crew - Australian champion rowers. Their training efforts were reflected in their results.
