
Running through Atlanta, the Chattahoochee River provides a lengthy course through which these young men and their teammates shape their character and build the figurative muscles they need to succeed and become real-world ready.
Rowing for the Atlanta Junior Rowers Association (AJRA), both Dylan and Nick are Mustangs on the water.
Dylan shares, “Rowing is the ultimate team sport – you can’t have just one stand-out performer. There are eight people in a boat – each one is only 1/8 of the power. This sport builds character, inspires community, and has high standards/goals — it’s such a positive environment. On the competitive level, our team made a name for itself coming in 3rd at Nationals and also 4th at Head of the Charles.”
Nick (pictured, right) is fairly new to rowing, but is now on the Mens Novice team and has earned himself a position in the A-Boat. He practices after school four days a week and on Saturday mornings. At Head of the Hooch, AJRA placed first overall, his boat came in first place.
Nick reflects on his rowing experience thus far, “It teaches perseverance – we have a year-round season. I started because I wanted to train for football. In the summer between seventh and eighth grade I decided to try it for the workout. In eighth grade I had developed the interest and skill level to join the Novice Team, full time. We compete in multiple races on race days – there is no break. It’s non-stop. It’s tough.”
The Mount Vernon community supports all of our students, many of whom commit a large amount of time to sports and other activities outside of school.