photo courtesy www.rowpix.com photo courtesy www.rowpix.com photo courtesy www.rowpix.com photo courtesy www.rowpix.com photo courtesy www.rowpix.com photo courtesy www.rowpix.com
photo courtesy www.rowpix.com photo courtesy www.rowpix.com

CIRC 2008 Summary


Record Challenge

Two competitors registered for a crack at the $10,000 pool: Mike Wallin (LPJ) and Rich Cureton (Unaff). Although no US or World Records were broken, Wallin did managed to shave 9 tenths of a second off his prior Open 2K CIRC record to take home $300 (06:19.8). Mike has 3 years left to mount an assault on Rob Waddell’s’ 05:38.3 World Record established in 1999 before he reaches the ripe old age of 30.
Although there was much UK Forum interest in Rich Cureton’s assault on the US & World records, he failed to make weight and scratched. Cureton currently holds the US 50/54 Lwt record (06:28.0) established in 2004.
CIRC Records
Our 10th Annual saw 10 Event Records fall along with 6 new Base Times established. Several were notable in breaking the previous records by 10 seconds or more.
Nell Shutterworth (LPBC) smashed the old Open 2K Record by 39.3 seconds at 07:37.5 as well as the Women’s (19/29 Lwt) by 11.5 seconds.
Emily Huelskamp (WC) did the same in the Collegiate 2K by 14.1 seconds at 07:16.8
Adaptive 500-Meter Exhibition
Few adaptive athletes are familiar with indoor or on-water rowing as a competitive or fitness possibility. With the introduction of Rowing to the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, our mission is to build awareness of rowing among those with disabilities and support local and national program development. This event featured the following inspirational athletes who mentor others to break the bonds of limitation and aspire to achievement.
Dr. Ed Melian, Adaptive Rowing Competitor & Adaptive Exhibition Coach
Mikel Vandello, Coach, Competitor and Paralympian, 1976, Toronto
Earl Jordon, 1998 Inductee: Wheelchair Softball Hall of Fame
Ramon Canellada, MVP Sled Hockey Team Senior Division 2000 Championship
Hector Bruno, Army Veteran Athlete: Sled Hockey, softball, basketball and handcycling
Middle School Exhibition
These kids sat Ready and Rowed with determination. We thank them for participating.
photo courtesy www.rowpix.com

Girls Gold: Gabriella Spingola: 01:57.0
Girls Silver: Sara Rodriguez: 2:18.2
Boys Gold: Faris Zahrah: 02:17.0
Boys Silver: Adam Rebora: 2:32.6
Open Challenge Champs
Lincoln Park Juniors Women Throw the Hammer Down: Break Record
Women’s Division: Lincoln Park Juniors (LPJ)

photo courtesy www.rowpix.com
Women’s Division: Lincoln Park Juniors (LPJ)
Going into the Challenge Relay, LPJ held the lead by 4.03 seconds over defending champs Marquette University. LPJ’s relay time of 08:28.01 guaranteed victory and the right to ‘gloat’ over beating university teams and establishing a new record in the process. CIRC recommends an on-water match race to settle the question: They can erg but can they row?

Men’s Division: Lincoln Park Boat Club

Going into the Challenge Relay, the Lincoln Park Boat Club held a 2.23 second lead over the Lincoln Park Juniors followed by the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. LPBC and LPJ fought tooth and nail to the finish but in the end LPBC held off the LPJ by increasing their Challenge an additional 9.20 seconds to claim victory and establish a new Open Challenge Men’s Record of 13:34.5 Northwestern posted a 7:26.8 relay time passing the University of Chicago to take 3rd Place.
Youth Challenge Champs
photo courtesy www.rowpix.com
Women’s Division: Lincoln Park Jrs.
Going into the Challenge Relay, LPJ held a 33.65 second lead over Austin Crew followed by CTC. Austin crew apparently drew inspiration from their hero, revolutionary Texan Stephen Austin. They extended their time in the relay by an additional 4.9 seconds for a composite victory time of 16.29.55 to add the Youth Women’s’ division title to their earlier win in the Open Challenge.
Men’s Division: Lincoln Park Juniors (LPJ)
Going into the Challenge Relay, LPJ held a 27.27 second lead over CTC. They extended their time in the relay by an additional 40.02 seconds for a composite victory time of 15.11.06.
photo courtesy www.rowpix.com
A Special Thanks
To Our Competitors / Coaches / Parents
CIRC continues to grow as a respected and anticipated annual event. This would not be possible without the enthusiastic support from the individual competitors, coaches and parents. The tone and cooperation of all participants made this truly a pleasurable event to host.
To Our Volunteers & Sponsors
It is simple; without them, CIRC would not be possible. Our heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers:

Rob DeCleene

Steve McNulty

Allison Beringer

Chris Sweetland

Montana Butsch

Patrick Slattery

Mary Lynn Wilson

Bill Sosin

Vada Seals

Miguel Ruiz

Lyssa Bayne

Nancy Acosta

Alais Griffin

Michael Raine

Laura Frericks

Rachel Parent


and to all those who pitched in on –site whose names we failed to write down as well as to all the staff of Creative Access who help to pull this event together with their sweat and financial generosity

Horner Park
Thanks to Thomas M. McManamon, Jake Palumbo and the Chicago Park District for their support before, during and after the event.
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