Last Updated: 23.May.2018

After 2 weeks of preparation, which immediately followed the end of their season-opening NSR I race in singles, GRP scullers made their 2018 debut in doubles at National Selection Regatta II (NSR II) and Spring Speed Order II (SSO II). Openweight GRP athletes teamed up in doubles. Lucas Bellows/Frank Horpel, Mickey Fili (former GRP U23, and current Potomac Boat Club athlete)/Jen Forbes, and Wes Vear/Nathan Lado, raced SSO II May 17-20, vying for a top placement in a fast field of US Scullers. Having an A final finish with a high percentage of gold standard speed in this regatta could give GRP athletes the opportunity to attend a quad selection/identification camp. Forbes and Fili participated in a 2xs matrix immediately following NSR I, out of DC-based Potomac Boat Club. They formed a composite entry at the regatta; and, as a result, received coaching by Matt Madigan (PBC), Sam Stitt (PBC), and Steve Whelpley (GRP). Another 2x from the PBC camp included former GRP athlete Maggie Fellows, and the stroke seat of last years US 4x that raced at World Championships, Emily Huelskamp. Bellows, Horpel, Lado, and Vear continued their training for NSR II in Vermont at various locations until the 14-inches of ice on Great Hosmer Pond thawed enough for the GRP to break it apart, and train on their home course.  

Racing began on Thursday morning at Mercer Lake with a 1900 meter time trial. For the men's 2xs, the top 12 times advanced to Thursday afternoon's semifinals, while boats with the 13th and 14th place times automatically advanced to Thursday afternoon's C final. In the women's 2x event, two boats scratched due to injuries, so with a field of 6 entries, all boats automatically advanced to Saturday's A final. Wind and water conditions were calm, with a slight headwind for the time trial and temperatures hovering in the low to mid sixties. The USRowing fairness committee cancelled racing on Friday all-together, giving athletes who raced twice on Thursday a day to recover in preparation for their final on Saturday. Saturday's conditions were calm and overcast with light rain, with temperatures in the mid sixties.

Bellows/Horpel took first in the C final, Thursday afternoon; while Fili/Forbes and Vear/Lado placed 5th and 4th in Saturday's A finals respectively.

Currently, Vear is engaged in quad selection at Pennsylvania Athletic Club (Penn AC), while Forbes and her 2xs partner are attending a quad identification camp in Princeton. 

Results from the week found below: 
Thursday May 17, 2018
Mens 2x Time Trial, top 12 to semis, everyone else to C final
Vear/Lado (7th) - 6:29.12
Bellows/Horpel (13th) - 6:35.04
Fastest time: Justin Keen/Erik Frid, PennAC (6:15.48)

Womens 2x Time Trial, automatically advance to A final, rank determines lane assignment
Fili/Forbes (4th) - 6:50.09
Fastest time: Kara Kohler/Felice Mueller, USTC (6:37.92)

Mens 2x Semifinal, top 3 advance to A final Semifinal 1

Vear/Lado (2nd) - 6:40.07, 90.0%

Fastest time: Greg Ansolabehere/Chuck Anderson - 6:38.05, 90.4%

Mens 2x C Final
Bellows/Horpel (1st) - 6:47.02, 88.4%

Saturday May 20, 2018
Womens 2x A Final
Fili/Forbes (5th) - 7:17.70, 90.7%

Fastest time: Kara Kohler/Felice Mueller (7:01.19, 94.3%)

Men's 2x A Final
Vear/Lado  (4th) - 6:53.01, 87.2%
Fastest time: Justin Keen/Erik Frid, Penn AC (6:40.59, 89.9%)

To see the complete results from NSR II/SSO II, go to HereNow
Photo coverage of the regatta can be found at Row2k 

Follow this link to learn more information about USRowing Senior Selection and petition procedures. 

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Article contributor: Jenifer Forbes