YouFor2032 athletes make waves at Queensland State Championships
QAS rising YouFor2032 stars put their best stroke forward, bringing home a haul of medals at the weekend’s Queensland State Championship Regatta, held at the Queensland State Rowing Centre.
Taking to the water for their very first state-level regatta, Tristan Orchard, Mac Rogers, and Hannah Johansson, competed against some of the country’s best athletes, surging through heats to the finals, proving they each have what it takes to make waves in the rowing world.
Nineteen-year-old Hannah took on a massive workload and delivered outstanding results. Competing in the U19 Single Scull (WU19 1x), she secured a bronze medal after progressing through a demanding series of qualification races. Having only spent 12 months in the sport, Hannah is already surging past the competition.
Hannah also paired with Gabby Ryan (All Hallows) in the U19 Double Scull (WU19 2x), earning silver behind a formidable crew led by one of the country’s best U19 rowers. Stepping up to the U21 Single Scull (WU21 1x) for further development, she finished fourth, just shy of the podium. Her consistent results put her in a strong position to be considered for the Queensland Youth State Team.
Mac made his rowing debut with impressive performances across multiple events. In the U21 Single Scull (MU21 1x), he secured a 6th-place finish in a competitive field, marking him as a strong candidate for the Queensland Youth State Team. But he truly shone in the crew boats, earning gold in the U21 Quad Scull (MU21 4x) and silver in the U21 Double Scull (MU21 2x).
For Tristan, the regatta was a chance to test himself against the very best taking on Paralympic legend and five-time World Champion Erik Horrie in the PR1 Single Scull. While Erik secured the win, Tristan earned a hard-fought silver medal and gained valuable insight into the demands of high-level racing.
Head Coach Agustin Radero said these results were a fantastic start for all three athletes.
“Hannah’s bronze in the U19 single is nothing short of remarkable considering she started rowing just 12 months ago. Mac’s gold in the quad and silver in the double show his potential to become a top competitor. And for Tristan, racing against Erik Horrie was a unique challenge and a critical step in his development,” he said.
“With NSW Championships in two weeks and Nationals in March, these athletes are building a strong trajectory. Their hard work and resilience are setting the stage for even greater achievements.”
The team’s focus now shifts to preparing for the upcoming competitions, aiming to carry their momentum to the NSW Championships in Penrith and the Australian National Championships at the end of March in Tasmania.
Last updated: 28 Jan 2025