Burton Beach Rowers bring home silver and bronze from American Lake

Thirty-three clubs took place in the 5k event hosted by the Commencement Bay Rowing Club.

By Eric Odegard For The Beachcomber • October 12, 2023 1:30 am
Will Parker, right, congratulates his teammates Nate Wass de Czege, Forest Macnab, and Briar Guenther after their bronze medal row in the Men’s U17 Quad (Emeilia Odegard Photo).
Will Parker, right, congratulates his teammates Nate Wass de Czege, Forest Macnab, and Briar Guenther after their bronze medal row in the Men’s U17 Quad (Emeilia Odegard Photo).

With the summer weather lingering into October for a few more days, the Northwest rowing community soaked in the last rays of sun at the American Lake Fall Classic, on Sunday, Oct. 8 in Lakewood.

Thirty-three clubs took place in the 5k event hosted by the Commencement Bay Rowing Club. The rowers from Burton Beach had a successful day, bringing home three silver and two bronze medals.

The club started the day with a bronze medal in the mens Varsity Quad, teamed by Will Parker, Nate Wass de Czege, Forest Macnab, and Briar Guenther.

Later that morning, the team took two more medals, this time in the mens U17 Single. Grant Gonter, a Junior, took the silver medal. This was Gonter’s first race of the fall season and his first time in competition since placing 11th at Nationals this summer in Florida. In that same event, Guenther took his second bronze medal of the day and teammate Max Jackson finished 5th.

The mens U17 single was won by Ronan Maher of Oregon Unlimited (Portland) with six of the next seven rowers in the race all coming from Vashon Island (the three BBRC rowers and three rowers from Vashon Island Rowing Club). Taking six of the top eight spots in a field of 13 is a testament to the strength of the young rowing talent on the island.

Will Parker and Briar Guenther took to the water in the afternoon and brought back a silver in the mens junior varsity double. For Parker, a sophomore, it was his second medal of the day. For Guenther, a freshman, it was his third.

“I am really proud of the entire team. Everyone worked hard and that was reflected in our results,” said Guenther. “I enjoy the course at American Lake for its challenging corners and this year we had glassy water that made for excellent racing.”

The day was rounded out with a successful row by the womens junior varsity double of seniors Taylor Huffman and Kez Rutschow who took home the silver. Juniors Paige Gibbons and Brisa Ordonez-Ramirez finished fourth. The island showed up strong in this event as well, with islanders taking four of the top six spots in another field of 13.

The club will have a break from racing next weekend in preparation for their trip to Boston to race in the Head of the Charles Regatta, Oct. 20-22. Three boats and thirteen rowers and coxswains will make the trip to take part in the largest rowing regatta in the world, with over 2600 entries.