St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School First VIII has won the 2021 BSRA Head of the River in a thrilling race at Wyaralong Dam last Saturday 5 September.
The crew held off all challengers in a dominant victory which saw the First VIII lead from the start, pushing all the way to the line to finish 5.78 seconds ahead of their nearest rival.
The Year 8, Year 9 and senior division crews placed first in their age group, with Year 10 age group placing second. The efforts of all rowers secured the overall aggregate cup for the St Margaret’s shed, amassing 835 points, 181 ahead of the competition.
Demonstrating the depth in the shed, 82 per cent of crews had podium finishes while 90 percent finished in the top four.
Head of Rowing Jared Bidwell said the results of the shed can be attributed to the leadership of 2021 rowing captains Primrose Carrigan and Rosie Turnbull who united and inspired the shed throughout the season which had thrown up many challenges.
“From lockdowns and changed training camps to cancelled regattas, the efforts of the shed are a testament to the girls’ resilience during these uncertain times.
“The rowers were backed up by incredible coaches and a very supportive parent body and senior leadership team all of which helped steer the girls to success,” Jared said.
The First VIII crew consisted of Morgan Wright, Paige Carrigan, Georgia Campbell, Holly Carrigan, Georgia Montague, Rosie Turnbull, Sophia Wightman, Primrose Carrigan, and cox Ruby Greenup.
It was a family affair for the three Carrigan sisters with rowing (and boarder) captain Primrose joined by her younger sisters, Year 11 twins Holly and Paige.
Primrose, who is in her final year at St Margaret’s, has been recruited to row on the University of Massachusetts college team when she finishes school, a pathway inspired by several St Margaret’s Old Girls who have gone before her.
“I had always wanted to row in the US ever since I was in Year 9 and heard it was possible from seniors going through the process at the time.
“St Margaret’s assisted me in preparing for the relevant tests through the school’s SAT program and I am thrilled to have been offered a full athletic scholarship which will allow me to keep rowing while studying either business or veterinary science,” Primrose said.