Mandurama's Hannah Richardson and her Kinross teammates enjoyed their most successful NSW Rowing Championships in history.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The school sent 39 athletes to the event which was held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre and won seven gold, four silver and five bronze medals, ranking as the number one school in the state and came third overall behind rowing clubs, Sydney and Sydney University.
Richardson picked up two golds, a silver and a bronze and was delighted by the experience.
"I think it was a really good way to boost morale within the squad, to have such a successful turnout across the board from the regatta," she said.
"There were lots of highlights, but I think it was watching the support that the Kinross squad has for each other. If kids weren't racing they were down on the side-lines, screaming until their voices were hoarse to cheers on the other crews that were racing."
This was the year 12 student's final opportunity to compete at the championships as a member of the school. This played a big part in her competing in - and eventually winning - the Championship Schoolgirl Single Scull title.
"I honestly didn't believe it. Especially the gold in the single really surprised me," she said.
"I was really nervous going in to that event and a couple weeks before, I wasn't sure if I would even go in it. I think after the first couple of races it settled the nerves a little bit and just switched over into being focused."
Being her last year at Kinross, the 17-year-old Richardson was pleased to see a crop of up-and-coming talent emerge at the championships.
"I was so impressed, especially with how the younger years executed," she added.
"It makes me happy that I'm leaving the squad knowing we have some strong rowers in the younger years to continue that Kinross legacy of kids who want to get out there and get the job done."