Local Athletes Make Essex Rowing History: North Andover Teen Earns Silver Medal at National Rowing Competition

Essex Rowing Club, Inc. of Methuen wrapped its spring season in
medals last week, thanks to Stephanie Giovenelli of North Andover and Janice Hagerman of Boxford who earned silver competing in the Women’s Lightweight Double event at the USRowing Youth National Championships in Oak Ridge, TN.

Since May, Giovenelli and Hagerman have been outperforming other crews—coming in first orsecond at every regatta in which they’ve participated including the highly competitive Northeast Junior District Championships qualifier and ultimately the Youth National Championship.

Arriving at Youth Nationals, Giovenelli and Hagerman moved comfortably through the initial rounds, finishing first in their heat and moving on to the semi-finals where they finished second to secure a spot in the A-final the following day. With fog on the water and a national title on the line, the Essex Women’s Lightweight Double waited at the starting line, flanked by five of the top crews in the country.

Giovenelli and Hagerman came off the line slightly behind the pack, settling into fourth place where they stayed for the majority of the 2000-meter race. With 700 meters to go, Giovenelli and Hagerman surged forward—passing two crews and crossing the finish behind Norcal Crew of Redwood City, CA. Their silver-medal win marks the highest ranking ever for an Essex Rowing crew at Youth Nationals—a distinction matched only by the enthusiasm of Giovenelli and Hagerman themselves.
“Throughout the spring Janice and I trained and worked hard to fight our way to Nationals,” said Giovenelli. “The most enjoyable part was the opportunity to compete in an event that included the best athletes in the country.”

A junior at North Andover High School, Stephanie Giovenelli has been rowing competitively for three years—earning attention nationally and at home, with twin brother Anthony recently following in her footsteps. Former baseball player turned rower, Anthony Giovenelli just completed his first year with Essex, rowing stroke seat in the Novice Men’s 8+. Though six-foot two Anthony may have the height
advantage over his 5’5” sister, a national silver medal has certainly given Stephanie bragging rights. This summer Stephanie and Anthony will continue to compete as part of Essex Rowing’s High Performance Group, where Stephanie will team up once again with Janice Hagerman, along with Charlotte Bleiler
(Boxford) and Sophie Ohrn (Topsfield) in the Women’s Quad at the USRowing Club National Championships in July and Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in August.

Also competing for Essex at last week’s Youth National Championship was Shannon Block(Boxford) and Lily Bettencourt (Topsfield), who made it to the B-final and placed 12th overall competing in the Women’s Pair, and the Varsity Men’s 8+ with rowers Ted Sorota (Andover), Morgan Bronson (Bradford), Alex Garrison (Bedford), Daniel Levine (Chelmsford), Austin Drake (Chelmsford), Robbie Hayes (Amesbury), Jack Wallace (Boxford), Michael Kapp (Andover) and coxswain Max Baron (Andover) who made it to the quarterfinals.
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Essex Rowing is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is focused on advancing the sport of
rowing. Founded in 2006, Essex Rowing trains youth and adult athletes from throughout the region at its
Methuen facility along a nearly 8-mile stretch of the Merrimack River, between the Lawrence and Lowell
dams. Since its inception, the club has introduced over 900 athletes to the sport of rowing and currently
maintains a roster of over 100 middle school, high school and adult athletes.