BALLARAT Grammar’s boys are kings of Lake Wendouree once again.
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Spurred by the motivation of an excruciating loss in 2013, the Grammar boys powered to a dominant victory in Sunday’s Ballarat Associated Schools Head of the Lake.
Ballarat Grammar head coach Sam Pullin said the boys’ win was a testament to the extreme effort put into the rowing program since being pipped at the post in 2014.
“The boys’ Head of the Lake, in particular, meant a lot,” he said. “We lost in pretty heartbreaking fashion last year, so to get the mantle back meant a lot ... you could tell just by looking at the boys.”
On a day when most of the schools shared in the spoils, Ballarat Clarendon College made it back-to-back in the girls’ crowns, while St Patrick’s College and Loreto College claimed overall premierships.
For the winning girls, coach Ross Henderson said this year’s win came as more of a relief than the exuberant celebrations last year.
College was considered to be the favourites heading into the race, despite having three year 11s in the boat.
“The data and our times pointed to us being able to compete well; it was just a matter of pulling it together on the water,” Henderson said.
“It was probably more of a relief this year because we knew we had such a good crew together and a lot of people expected us to win.”
During an even day of competition, Loreto College won its first JH Netherway Cup for the girls’ overall premiership, while St Patrick’s College claimed the Harold Deveson Cup for the boys’ premiership.
Damascus College again saluted in the girls’ year 9 division three race as it continues to develop its rowing program, while Phoenix College was far from disgraced in its debut in the girls year 10 division three event, finishing fourth out of six schools.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au