This last week-end Norwalk’s summer youth racing teams traveled to the Independence Day Regatta in Philadelphia. This year’s regatta included 1,048 entries from 91 clubs and organizations.
On the over 16 side, the sole 
representative of the girls program at the regatta, Norwalk resident and rising senior Amelia Ornato, took third in the single. Congratulations, Amelia!
All of the remaining three top-three finishes were contributed by the Pound Ridge duo Kris Petreski and Liam McDonough in the 16 and under races. Their double took first, besting the second-place Maritime boat by nearly 16 seconds.
In the single event, Petreski took first and McDonough took third. Congratulations, guys! One other Norwalk River boat made it to finals, the 2x, and finished fourth, 1.5 seconds behind third.
Six additional Norwalk River boats made it to the semi-fin
als but did not advance: a 4+, a 4x, two more singles and another double. In all, 10 Norwalk River boats made it to semi-finals, half of those made it to finals, and four of those finished in the top three, two with firsts and two with thirds.
Several of the rising seniors stayed for the College Expo held on Sunday to meet coaches from some of the top college crew teams.
The youth are due back in Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Youth Regatta on July 26.
