BALLARAT Grammar is the Australian champion in the schoolboys coxed four.
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Grammar’s Nic Williams, Ted Hunt, Lloyd Meek, Ben Trotter and cox Thomas Leadbetter took out gold in the 2000-metre A grade final at the Sydney International Rowing Regatta on Sunday.
The quintet crossed the line in a time of 6:37.990 to edge out Christ Church Grammar and Scotch College for the title.
Grammar rowing director Luke Pougnault said the school had surpassed its expectations at the regatta, with the schoolgirls
coxed four team finishing seventh in their final on the way to a personal best time of 7:43.850.
“The goal we set the club as a benchmark was to make finals,” he said.
“The girls placed really well and did their PB, but the boys coming home with the national title was a fantastic result.
“It’s a really good indication of where the shed is at.”
Pougnalt said the results had capped off a successful season for Grammar, with the crews now looking forward to a well-earned break.
“We’ve had a good run with what both the boys and girls have been achieving at the (national) level,” Pougnault said.
“It’s been good to keep maintaining the level of success, and I think they’re looking forward to a bit of a break.
“This is where the season ends for us.”
Pougnault believes the standard of competition is rapidly improving in Ballarat, as evidenced by the results of Ballarat Clarendon College, Loreto College Ballarat, Ballarat High and St Patrick’s College.
Clarendon finished fourth in the schoolgirls coxed four in a time of 7:39.770, while Loreto also made the final and finished in eighth place.
St Pat’s and Ballarat High took out respective seventh and eighth spots in the schoolboys coxed four.
Old Grammarian Lucy Stephan was also part of the Victorian crew that won the prestigious Queen’s Cup – the national title for the women’s eight.
michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au