OCC rowers fourth at nationals

Orange Coast College finished fourth among 78 schools at the American Collegiate Rowing Assn. national championship in late May in Gainesville, Ga.

The Pirates’ second novice eight finished second, covering the 2,000-meter course on Lake Ranier in six minutes, 56.84 seconds.

OCC’s first novice eight was third in its final, posting a time of 6:29.95.

OCC was eighth in the junior varsity eight final and the school’s varsity eight won the B (consolation) final, in 6:36.08.

OCC sophomore Sam Melvin made the ACRA All-Region team.

The second novice eight consisted of David Duffy, Andrew Garrow, Mitch Holt, Stephen Hospedales, Alden Stoneman, Clayton Holmes, Noah Greenslit, Chase Parker and coxswain Raymond Remick.

Competing in the first novice eight boat were Nick Remick, Daniel Amado, Seve Badajoz, Kyle Gocan, Rocket Stickney, Hayden Hill, James Kerrigan, Ben Cassidy and coxswain Ally Nordlie.

The junior varsity eight consisted of Rob McClure, Sawyer Schardt, Garrett O’Neill, David Elder, Rhodri John, Troy Harding, Leon Maurer, Gordan Pershall and coxswain Riley Ritchie.

OCC’s varsity eight included Jordan Thiesan, Tanner Godfrey, Caleb O’Neil, Ken Ponchak, Melvin, Connor Breen, Dan Ross, John Kinnear and coxswain Karina DuBourdieu.

OCC’s 284 team points trailed only Michigan (683), UC Santa Barbara (464) and Virginia (435).

— From staff reports