Island Rower is Selected to Compete at World Championships

In 2019, Davis Kelly and teammate Jordon Rutschow won an international doubles race in China.

By Lisa Lorentzen

For Burton Beach Rowing Club

Last week, Davis Kelly became the third member of the Burton Beach Rowing Club (BBRC) to be selected to the United States’ Junior National Rowing Team, which will compete against the rest of the world in Bulgaria in mid-August. Kelly now joins BBRC rowers Gabbie Graves (the U.S. team in 2018 and 19) and his older sister Kate (2019) in wearing the national team uniform at a World Championships.

“All through the disruption of the pandemic, Davis just kept working hard,” said his coach, Richard Parr, of the 17-year-old Kelly. “Even at this point last year when restrictions were pretty severe, Davis was doing a lot of twice-a-day workouts, often by himself in the basement at Camp Burton. He’s incredibly easy to coach, hardworking and honest.”

Kelly has already traveled overseas with Burton Beach, racing in China in 2019 with teammate Jordon Rutschow, where they won an international doubles race.

“Training during the COVID pandemic was difficult,” said Kelly. “But having the support base that I had is what ultimately made this possible. Thanks to Camp Burton’s continued generosity and the phenomenal coaching I had from Richard, I was able to come away with an opportunity to put the year’s training to use. I’m extremely grateful for the support of my BBRC teammates and my family. I’m honored to represent them on the international stage.”

Kelly is entering his final year at Vashon Island High School. After that, he will attend Brown University where he plans to study history and international relations.