Happy days: Gold medal winner Anna Chalkley.
Photo by
Karen Eldred
Shepparton Rowing Club returned home from the 2023 Rowing Victoria State Championships with a gold medal winner in its ranks.
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Shepparton’s Anna Chalkley emerged as the shining star of the team after she won the female C-grade single event at last weekend’s event at Nagambie.
It was an impressive showing from Chalkley as she rounds out her first season back competing after a four-year break from the sport.
Shepparton Rowing Club president Geoff Withers said it was a significant moment for the club as it bounces back from last year’s devastating floods.
“It’s been such a difficult couple of months for everyone (at the club) and to come away with a gold medal at the state championships is a great boost for the club,” he said.
“It was an outstanding effort from Anna. A real top performance with limited preparation and practice on the water.
“No doubt it will give a great boost in confidence to club members that they can strive for success. And hopefully it shows to old members that they can come back to the sport and perform well.”
Anna Chalkley and Emily Belcher
Photo by
Karen Eldred
The former Shepparton Rowing Club junior made an instant splash since returning from her four-year hiatus.
Drawing lane seven after finishing third in her heat, Chalkley put in an outstanding effort as she demonstrated her strength and determination on the water.
Chalkley rowed to the lead just after the halfway mark on the 1000m course and kept the lead for the remainder of the race.
The talented rower crossed the finish line a full boat length ahead.
Teammate Emily Belcher qualified in the same event and put in a commendable performance, finishing in sixth place.
Belcher paired with fellow youngster Olivia Anderson in the double scull.
The duo battled hard against some of the best in the state, unfortunately it was unable to match the stroke rate of the more experienced crews.
Winning feeling: Anna Chalkley at the finish line.
Photo by
Karen Eldred
After qualifying third fastest in the C-grade single Thomas Nalder narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the final in what was an extremely exciting race to the finish line with only seconds splitting third, fourth and fifth places.
Nalder had a busy morning with back-to-back races jumping out of his single scull and into a mixed double scull with Wendy Cotter from Nagambie Rowing Club before challenging his ability in the under-17 single event.
Withers said one more regatta remained for the club before the season ends.
“We’ve got one more regatta to come which is down in Melbourne and it’s a bit of a relaxing weekend and one where we kind of unwind for the season,” he said.
“We’re always on the look-out for anyone who wants to start or return to rowing and they’re encouraged to contact our Facebook page.”
Anyone interested in joining Shepparton Rowing Club is encouraged to contact the club on Facebook.
