On Saturday May 5th and Sunday May 6th, Stockton Rowing Club Junior rowing members took part in the US Rowing Southwest Regional’s Junior District Championships at Lake Natoma in Rancho Cordova, under the coaching of Leslie Sexton and Tom McGurk. This regatta included rowing clubs from Northern California, Southern California, Utah and Arizona.
Many of the junior members of Stockton Rowing Club participated in various races while dealing with an incredible crosswind at Lake Natoma. They displayed excellence and represented Stockton well! Special recognition goes to 17 year old St. Mary’s High School student, Miss Jessie Viss who took silver in the single scull rowing event. In the qualifying heat, Jessie sprinted to the finish and was barely edged out of 2nd place to finish 3rd. She turned on her afterburners again in the finals and sprinted to finish 2nd! .
1. LBRA 9:10.30
2. Stockton Rowing Club 9:14.65
3. Stanford 9:24.08
4. CYC 9:24.50
5. San Diego A 9:34.88
6. Tempe 9:38.29
This qualified her for the National Championship scheduled for next month in Tennessee. Jessie is the first junior from SRC to have qualified for Nationals.
During the course of her junior rowing career with Stockton Rowing Club, she has balanced participation in two overlapping sports (St. Mary’s basketball team and rowing) while maintaining high academic standards. The National regatta is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Jessie Viss. Stockton Rowing Club asks the community for their support in helping Jessie on the Road to Gold at the National Regatta. A savings fund has been established at Wells Fargo, March Lane Branch under the name of Stockton Rowing Club (Jessie Viss fund is to be noted). Funds raised will help cover the cost of her travel and trailering of her rowing shell to Tennessee. You may also mail checks to Stockton Rowing Club 4950 Buckley Cove Way, Stockton CA 95219. The goal is $5000.00. Stockton Rowing Club hopes that the community can help this youngster represent Stockton in such a great way!
As a whole, the Stockton Rowing Club Juniors finished a great season! Stockton Rowing Club is hopeful that in the next couple of years some of their younger rowers will follow in Jessie’s footsteps and qualify for nationals.
Stockton Rowing Club would love to recruit new juniors so that they can continue to build a strong junior rowing program in Stockton. The sport of rowing as a junior can open the doors to great opportunities for colleges. Stockton Rowing Club also offers programs for adults (recreational and competitive). 
