The Mathews High School varsity crew had an exceptional outing at the Virginia State Rowing Regatta on Saturday at Sandy Run Regional Park in Occoquan. With only three boats entered, Mathews ended the day winning gold and silver, and just missing out on bronze.

First to race for Mathews were Sean Carlson, Matt Taylor, Cole Wheeler, Josh Anthony and coxswain Savannah Hartlove in the second of three qualifying heats for the Men’s Senior Four final.  The boys won their heat (5:37.7), tying for fastest heat time with Forest Park’s first heat time, with Lake Braddock winning the third heat.

In the final, Forest Park finished five seconds ahead of undefeated W. T. Woodson for the gold, with Lake Braddock taking a hard-fought bronze, nipping the Blue Devils by .3 of a second. T.C. Williams and Stone Bridge finished out the field.

Freshman Henry Hospodar, racing in his first state competition for Mathews, captured gold in the Men’s Junior Varsity Single event with Hyl...