Thousands Of Rowers Participate In Stotesbury Regatta In Philly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS)--The Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the world's oldest and largest scholastic regatta, is back in Philadelphia this weekend with more than 5,500 rowers participating.
In a competition with plenty of history, there are plenty of stories of why these high school students compete.
"It makes me push myself and hold myself to a higher standard," said Jenna Spray of Radnor High School.
"It's one of the best sports out there, and I love it so much," said Liam Glennon of Haddonfield Memorial High School. "It means a lot having one of the best courses here in Philly. It's such an iconic course at Boathouse Row."
And on Friday, for the 91st year, the crew competition they've been training for returned to the Schuylkill River.
"We are right down the river so this is local for us," Spray said.
For others, this is the home of a regatta they've always aspired to be part of.
"It's the oldest high school race actually in existence, so it's an honor to row here every time," said Sean Aral of Chaminade High School in New York. "My brother rowed all four years of his high school too, so it's like my ninth year coming here now."
Aral has committed to the crew team at Columbia University and looks forward to competing in the collegiate Dad Vail Regatta.
As temperatures spiked to more than 90 degrees, at least one rower reportedly overheated.
But overcoming obstacles is part of the reason they row.
"It's sort of like a culmination of all of the hard work you put in in the winter and the beginning of the spring season," said Liam Varley, also of Chaminade High School.
Varley has committed to the crew team at the University of Virginia.
Each time the oar hits the water, they're reminded that in crew, it takes a crew to be successful.
"It's a lot of long hours, a lot of dedication," said Eric Somershoe, head coach of the Mainland Regional High School crew team.
The Stotesbury Cup Regatta continues through Saturday.