Eight Mobjack Rowing Association youth traveled to Alexandria City High School last weekend to compete in the 39th annual Mid Atlantic Erg Sprints. This competition is recognized as the second largest indoor rowing championships in the U.S.

Hosted by the Alexandria City H.S. crew in the school’s large gym, this year’s event registered 1,319 athletes from 111 clubs or schools. There were 29 different male and female categories with participants ranging in age from 5 to 95 years old.

More than 150 rowing machines and other stations were set up on the gym floor and races ran in groups or flights from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Mobjack youth had a good day with six of the eight pulling new personal bests in their 2,000-meter event category. First to race were novices Harper Tomcany and Eloise Leslie who placed fifth and ninth, respectively, out of 11 entries in the U15 event for 13-14 year-olds. Next to race was Sam Tomcany in the U17 event, turning in a 6:54.6 time placing him fifth out 130 entries. Sydney Kollar made the upper 50 percent with her personal record (8:20.4) placing 49th of 102 in the U19 women’s event.

The last four Mobjack racers were all in the men’s heavyweight U19 category with Ray Hudgins’s new record of 6:59.8 landing him 64th of 158, lightweight Jaxon McDonald’s 7:05.6 made 71st, lightweight Bryce Clarke’s 7:48.7 made 141st and Will Lang came in 151st with his best of 7:59.6.

“Our young team had good results today and are working hard to meet training goals,” said MRA and Mathews High School head coach Tim Ulsaker, who returned to coaching after the teams’ former coach moved away. “Most were surprised with their performance and are excited to continue seeking the next higher level,” he said.

MRA continues to train this week, preparing for the Hampton Erg Pull on Saturday at Catholic High School in Virginia Beach.