Atlanta Juniors
Oct 18, 2026
AJRA's Women’s Varsity 8+ ties a program best seventh-place finish among 83 boats, while the Men’s Varsity 8+ claims sixth among 85 boats at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious rowing events.
BOSTON, MA – Atlanta Junior Rowing Association (AJRA) made a powerful statement on one of the sport's greatest stages this weekend, as both its women’s and men’s varsity eight crews delivered elite performances at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts.
The AJRA Women’s 1V 8+ finished seventh among 83 boats with a time of 17:03.373, tying the program’s best-ever finish at the prestigious regatta. The Men’s 1V 8+ followed with an impressive sixth-place finish among 85 boats, crossing the line in 14:46.623. With both crews finishing among the top ten in their respective fields, the results underscore AJRA’s ability to compete with premier rowing programs on an international stage.
“The results from this weekend were a great set of races from our athletes. Both boats had a great run up to the regatta, and that consistency showed on the course. Fast results in Boston are a great kickstart for the rest of our Fall racing season, and keeps the rest of the squads moving fast as well. We're looking forward to continuing our Fall campaign at Music City and Hooch with results that are just as successful for the whole team,” said Maddux Castle, AJRA’s Women’s Head Coach.
Men's Head Coach Zach Smarr added "Our overall team success shows the committment these athletes have. Their exceptional work ethic has them in the mix with not only the top American teams, but international ones as well. We're excited to see how they capitalize on the potential both teams have going forward."
The Head of the Charles is one of rowing’s premier events, bringing together crews from across the country and around the world for a demanding test of speed, endurance, technical skill, and composure. For AJRA, these results reflect the commitment and preparation required to perform at an elite level and the continued growth of a program establishing its presence among the nation’s top youth rowing teams.
With both varsity crews delivering top-seven finishes, AJRA leaves Boston with more than exceptional results. The weekend reinforces the program’s competitive momentum and provides a strong foundation for the remainder of the fall season as athletes across the team continue to develop, challenge themselves, and pursue new milestones.
2026 Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) Line-Ups
Women's Varsity 8+
Audrey Burns (s)
Greer Lovett
Lillie Reid
Katie Whitney
Gwen Meinhardt
Amara Barger
Olivia Song
Anya Joseph
Sarah Shrum (c)
Men's Varsity 8+
Ellis Robertson (s)
Nicolas Tejedor
Samuel Trosclair
Greyson Hernandez
Dru Kistler
CJ Grant
Liam Vehorn
Victor Gonzalez-Garza
Matthew Wang (c)
About Atlanta Junior Rowing Association: Atlanta Junior Rowing Association (AJRA), based in Roswell, Georgia, provides rowing opportunities for high school and middle school athletes, developing their skills, fitness, teamwork, and character through the sport of rowing. Training on the Chattahoochee River, AJRA prepares athletes to compete at the regional and national levels while fostering a lifelong appreciation for the sport.
Media Contact:
Jeremy Estroff
Atlanta Junior Rowing Association
