St Patrick’s College crew still on a high after big win

Crawley was part of the crew that claimed gold in the schoolboys’ coxed four event at the 2018 Sydney International Rowing Regatta.

He was joined in the St Patrick’s College boat by teammates Connor Shugg, Regan Champley, Jackson Long and James Crilly for the hard-fought win over rivals Melbourne High.

“You’ve had social media get around you a bit, but it still hasn’t really sunk in that we are national champions,” Crawley said back in Ballarat on Monday.

“But I’m sure it will soon enough.”

Crawley said St Pat’s led the entire way through Sunday’s final, but had to work hard to beat the talented Melbourne High crew.

“They’re a strong crew as well. We knew what we had to do to get the win and we executed that pretty well on the day,” he said.

St Patrick’s College rowing director Brendan Scott said the success secured the school’s third national title.

He said there had been past triumphs in 2001 and 1994.

“It’s pretty big,” Scott said.

“We set some pretty lofty goals at the start of the season and one of them was to try and win the national title.

“It was good to realise that goal. The boys have stayed very focused and worked really hard throughout the whole season. The hard work paid off.”

The St Pat’s crew finished third in the under-19 men's coxed four event and combined with the Melbourne High boys to pick up a silver medal in the under-19 men's coxed eight. Long wasn’t part of the eight crew.

Loreto College finished second in the schoolgirls’ coxed four, finishing five seconds behind Queenwood.