They had dreamed of competing in the B finals and knew they would have to be perfect at this intense National level to make it, but the shifting wind made their time trial run incredibly challenging. The wind changed from tailwind to crosswind to headwind during the approximately 7-minute 2K race, making their run technically and physically demanding. But they found success Friday, when they won the head-to-head D final race, besting the competition by almost 10 seconds.

It was a long road to Nationals. These girls have been training since freshman year on the Long Island Sound with City Island Rowing in the Bronx. They are out in all types of weather and can be seen leaving their homes before 5 am some days to get in a 1 1/2 hour session before going to school. When they can't be on the water, you can find them cross-training at the gym with weights and cardio or using the rowing machine, known as "erging."  To qualify for Nationals, the City Island U17 8+ girls competed in the NY States in Saratoga on May 14, where they took the Silver Medal.