We are always hugely excited when we hear that a pupil has been selected to represent his country competing in the sport he loves. When Upper Sixth Former Connor Sheridan set off for the Munich Regatta at the weekend to represent Great Britain in the Coxless Fours and the Eights, we all waited for the results with great anticipation.
We were, therefore, thrilled to learn that Connor brought home not just one but two gold medals, following a tough, hard-fought weekend of races on windy waters that certainly threw the oarsmen a challenge or two.
Supported on the riverbank by his parents, Connor’s Coxless Four raced on the Saturday and finished the heats in the fastest time to enter the finals as the favourites and race in the middle lane. A strong crosswind in this lane did not deter them, neither did the Polish team, who, despite making a concerted effort, could not close in on the GB Four who won gold by a boat’s length.
The wind did not drop for day two. This time it was the turn of the Eights and again Connor and his crew finished with the fastest time in the heats and took to the middle lane for the final. Germany and Switzerland gave them a run for their money but could not keep up with the powerhouse of the Great British oarsmen who rowed to win their second gold of the weekend with a three-second margin.
As a result of his success, Connor stands an excellent chance to be selected to race for the World Team: a goal he has been aspiring to since he was picked to race for the European Team last year. Connor told us, “This means a huge amount to me on a personal level. I was never really a sporty person until I discovered rowing. Since I started rowing five years ago, my fitness levels are so much better than they were.”
You can certainly say that again! Connor’s fitness and strength levels, combined with his superb technique, have gained him an unconditional offer to Oxford Brookes University. Additionally, the Head Coach at Princeton University in the US has also been in touch, opening another tempting door for Connor.
Connor has been training 21 hours a week which, when combined with his A-Level studies, is proving quite a juggling act. He will shortly be sitting A-Level exams in Maths, Business and Geography. We wish him all the very best with his studies and, of course, his future in rowing.
