Crew Rows at Nationals
It might be summer break, but St. Mark’s varsity crew team has remained hard at work! Members of the team have been showing up daily to log long practices, row grueling meters, and refine their technique – all in preparation for the prestigious USRowing Youth National Championship in Sarasota, Florida.
This year, for the first time in program history, St. Mark’s qualified two boats for nationals — a milestone achievement that reflected not only the depth of talent on the team but also the relentless dedication of its athletes and coaches.
“This year’s success was based on the hours and hours of those morning steadies these past few years,” said team captain Linyang Lee ’25. “Because of the steady culture we’ve built, we were strong enough as a team to bring two boats and eight guys to nationals this year and place top ten in both boats.”
Over four days of elite competition at Nathan Benderson Park, each boat raced three times against the fastest scholastic and club teams from across the country.
“Both boats were out there to put St. Mark’s on the map and get us on the national radar as one of the strongest teams out there," said Linyang.
Both boats advanced through the initial time trials and earned spots in the semi-finals. The 1V boat — consisting of Ian McGowan ’26, Hewes Lance ’26, Elijah Kraus ’26, and Walker Stevens ’27 — delivered a composed and powerful performance in their semi-final race, finishing 4th to secure a place in the highly competitive A Final. Meanwhile, the 2V boat — made up of Jack Shepro ’27, Linyang Lee ’25, Eric Yi ’25, and Andrew Hofmann ’28 — placed 5th in their semi-final, earning their place in the B Final.
On the final day of racing, the 1V brought everything they had to the course. With smooth rhythm and explosive finishes, they crossed the line in 6th place nationally with a time of 6:19 — tying the highest finish in St. Mark’s crew history. Not to be outdone, the 2V delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend. In a photo finish, they claimed 2nd in the B Final with a photo finish, placing them as the 10th-fastest 2V boat in the nation.
Although he’s departing the program, Linyang has high hopes for the future: “The culture of hard work the team has will continue to thrive and grow even stronger. I can’t wait to see what the team will continue to achieve.”
Training has already resumed over the summer, and the team is determined to build on their success and chase an even stronger finish in 2026.
Back
This year, for the first time in program history, St. Mark’s qualified two boats for nationals — a milestone achievement that reflected not only the depth of talent on the team but also the relentless dedication of its athletes and coaches.
“This year’s success was based on the hours and hours of those morning steadies these past few years,” said team captain Linyang Lee ’25. “Because of the steady culture we’ve built, we were strong enough as a team to bring two boats and eight guys to nationals this year and place top ten in both boats.”
Over four days of elite competition at Nathan Benderson Park, each boat raced three times against the fastest scholastic and club teams from across the country.
“Both boats were out there to put St. Mark’s on the map and get us on the national radar as one of the strongest teams out there," said Linyang.
Both boats advanced through the initial time trials and earned spots in the semi-finals. The 1V boat — consisting of Ian McGowan ’26, Hewes Lance ’26, Elijah Kraus ’26, and Walker Stevens ’27 — delivered a composed and powerful performance in their semi-final race, finishing 4th to secure a place in the highly competitive A Final. Meanwhile, the 2V boat — made up of Jack Shepro ’27, Linyang Lee ’25, Eric Yi ’25, and Andrew Hofmann ’28 — placed 5th in their semi-final, earning their place in the B Final.
On the final day of racing, the 1V brought everything they had to the course. With smooth rhythm and explosive finishes, they crossed the line in 6th place nationally with a time of 6:19 — tying the highest finish in St. Mark’s crew history. Not to be outdone, the 2V delivered one of the most exciting finishes of the weekend. In a photo finish, they claimed 2nd in the B Final with a photo finish, placing them as the 10th-fastest 2V boat in the nation.
Although he’s departing the program, Linyang has high hopes for the future: “The culture of hard work the team has will continue to thrive and grow even stronger. I can’t wait to see what the team will continue to achieve.”
Training has already resumed over the summer, and the team is determined to build on their success and chase an even stronger finish in 2026.
St. Mark’s School of Texas
10600 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
Dallas, Texas 75230
214-346-8000
About Us
St. Mark’s School of Texas is a private, nonsectarian college-preparatory boys’ day school for students in grades 1 through 12, located in Dallas, Texas. St. Mark’s aims to prepare young men to assume leadership and responsibility in a competitive and changing world.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
St. Mark’s does not discriminate in the administration of its admission and education policies on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
