Vashon Island Rowing Club’s junior crew opened its competitive racing season at the Green Lake Spring Regatta last weekend. Twenty local clubs participated in the 1,000-meter sprint races. Green Lake’s spring regatta is known for unpredictable weather, but this year sunshine was abundant.

The standout performance was by the men’s novice coxed quad (Lex Rosen, Renz O’Meara, Justin Barker, Ryan Weller, coxswain — Joshua Kyles), who had the club’s first official race of the spring season. Stroke Lex Rosen kept a steady, consistent pace, and Vashon edged out Seattle Prep for a first-place finish.

Though Vashon rowers were still shaking off the remnants of a wicked viral cold/flu season, every Vashon rower came home with a medal. Kyles led the medal count, bringing home three medals. Coach Ben Steele, new to the club this season, had this to say, “I was happy with the improvement the rowers showed, but most of all I was proud of how they worked together and represented the team. Medals are great, but nothing is more important than seeing the kids represent our core values.”

Vashon Island Rowing Club races again at the Husky Open on March 31 at the University of Washington.

— Summer Rosen