Zier places seventh at nationals

Published 9:39 am Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Jake Zier, 16, an Orcas High School junior and co-captain of the Orcas Island Rowing Association team, joined over 1,500 top qualifying rowers from across the country for the USRowing Youth National Championships held June 8-10 on Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Finishing seventh overall in the men’s heavyweight single class, Zier faced the fastest 17 rowers the rest of the country could offer. Undoubtedly one of the smallest clubs in attendance, coach Tina Brown, co-captain Max Blackadar and Zier represented OIRA at nationals with borrowed oars and a rented boat, quickly named by Blackadar as “The Big Z.” After three blazing fast heat races Friday and Saturday, Zier finished first in the 2K meter B final Sunday in 7:35 minutes, only three seconds behind the A final winner.

Coach Brown said “I am a very proud coach” and “Jake officially placed seventh but had the fourth fastest time over all!” Brown thanked all of those who supported OIRA.

For more info, visit www.orcasislandrowing.org.