Sports - Rowing to the Big Leagues: SRA rowers

Seniors Madison Beumer, Hannah Bogan, Emily Krison, Kate Russell and Catlin Shufelt have each signed on with Division I schools across the nation, joining some of the most elite groups of competitive rowers at the collegiate level.

The Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA) was formed in 1996 by Christopher Chase, and in its 12 years the program has become internationally recognized as one of the strongest rowing associations in the country. Eric Catalano, another long-time coach for the association, said that initially, “a couple of kids had done a summer rowing camp at Skidmore, so they asked to start a club at the high school. There was a huge amount of interest right off the bat, but at first there were too many kids and not enough equipment or coaches.”

Slowly but surely, the club began to grow, purchasing old and used equipment from other schools who were busy upgrading to newer boats, and the SRA’s fleet began to grow. With the right equipment, excellent coaches and dedicated athletes, the team now boasts two North American Championships, four national championships, and 42 state championships.

“On average,” Catalano said, “probably 5 or 6 seniors per year attain some level of scholarship due to their involvement with SRA. Almost 70 to 75 athletes have gone on to row at Division I, many on athletic scholarships. I guess we’re well into the millions of dollars, in terms of the scholarship money our athletes have been awarded.”

Continuing the tradition, Madison Beumer is headed to George Mason University in Virginia, having received a substantial scholarship that reduces the parent contributions significantly.

Hannah Bogan, who Catalano said was, “brand new to the SRA this year after having been with a club down in Albany,” is off to Tulsa University, choosing the Oklahoma school over another offer at Alabama.

Emily Krison has decided to join the Lady Vols at the University of Tennessee, where having been awarded a scholarship will become the team’s coxswain, the athlete responsible for steering the boat and dictating strategy during the race.

“Anytime a coxswain gets a scholarship, it’s a pretty big deal. We have a good tradition of making strong coxswains,” Catalano said.

Kate Russell has been accepted at Boston University where she has received a full scholarship, in part thanks to her rowing with the SRA.

“It takes a special rower to win a scholarship like that,” Catalano said.

Caitlin Shufelt, who earlier this year was awarded a $1,500 Merit Scholarship by the Saratoga Springs Rowing Club for her excellence in rowing and high academic achievement, has been accepted to the Ivy Leagues, where she has signed on with Columbia University in New York City to continue her rowing.

These girls have worked tremendously hard to reach some of the top schools in the country, and Catalano indicates that there will likely be a few more students in the SRA to follow suit.

“We’re looking at, in the next signing period, another three or so athletes going on to Division I.”

With more than 160 students and members year-round, the SRA is currently looking to expand its program, for adults and students. One of the new programs will focus on younger students coming up in the Junior High.

“It’s a new program for 7th and 8th graders, a very local program competing with other local crew teams in the Capital District,” Catalano said.

The association also runs an indoor component during the winter months for dedicated rowers.

For anyone interested in becoming a member, Catalano encourages calls to (518) 587-6697 for more information.