Calli (Year 9) and Ellie (Year 10) represented Rockhampton Girls Grammar School on the weekend at the 2021 Higgins Coatings Rowing Queensland Schools State Championships. The event was held locally across four days on the mighty Fitzroy River, from Friday to Monday. There were over 700 rowers in attendance representing 31 schools from across Queensland. Events included singles, doubles, quads and eights events, scull (2 oars) for all age groups and sweep (1 oar) as additional events for seniors.
Both Calli and Ellie had heats for all of their events on Saturday. Ellie held her own and did extremely well in her Year 10 1.5km single sculls heat considering she has only been rowing for a term. Both girls combined in the Year 10 1.5km double skull event achieving their race goals and Calli made it through to the semis in the Year 9 1km single skull and Year 11 2km single scull events.
The semis for the Year 11 2km race was held on Sunday morning. Improving her time with each race, Calli performed admirably against the older girls. With only four competitors from each semi taken through to the final, it was an early finish for her on Sunday.
Calli returned on Monday performing a personal best time and finishing second in the Year 9 girls 1km single skull semi. This time meant she was seeded fifth heading into the final. Having an exceptionally good start and leading for most of the race, Calli won silver, only beaten by a boat-length by the number one seed, St Patrick's College Townsville's Lily Bragg. What an awesome result!
'Old Girls' would also be interested to hear Calli was honoured to meet Mrs Jill Hick, life-long rowing supporter and wife of former long-time (32 years) Rockhampton Girls Grammar School coach, the late Mr Frank Hick.
Many thanks to all who supported and coached Calli and Ellie leading up to the Championships and across the four days.
The whole Girls Grammar community are proud of both their efforts and results.
To watch the excitement of Calli's final, click on the link below and scroll through to 7:07:20 with presentation at 7:18:50: