St. Mary's ramps up for regatta on Saturday, May 7

The 2nd annual St. Mary’s Preparatory Spring Crew Classic regatta is slated for Saturday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event features 250 athletes from six crew teams who will traverse around Apple Island and finish up at St. Mary’s shoreline. This year, the “Round the Apple” course, fixed at 2,000 meters, is longer than last year’s regatta course.

“It’s a warm-up for the spring season,” said St. Mary’s Preparatory Headmaster James Glowacki. “A lot of these teams compete at the Midwest championship so it’s a good gauge of what to expect.”

Between six and 10 boats will race against the clock toward the finish line.

Each team will provide refreshments for their athletes and families. Spirit wear will be sold.

St. Mary’s crew team, comprised of about 50 athletes, has already competed several times this year and is faring well.

“We have a strong team this year and may enter more regattas than last year based on the discretion of the coach,” said Crew Club Parent Board President Perry Clark.

St. Mary’s has revived the tradition of holding a fall and spring regatta annually. The team also travels all over the Midwest during the height of the season to compete.

“This year we’re scheduled for the Stotesbury Race in Philadelphia, the biggest high school regatta in the country where over 100 schools are represented,” Clark said. “We will cap the year off by going to St. Catharines in Ontario.”

During the St. Mary’s event, the city of Orchard Lake will completely close Indian Trail from Commerce to Seminary; and Seminary to Orchard Lake will allow local traffic only.

There will be reserved parking available near the boat house at the northeast corner of campus.

St. Mary’s will be reimbursing the city for the costs to close the roads and to staff a police officer on site.

For safety precautions, the West Bloomfield Fire Department will man a rescue boat on Orchard Lake to monitor the race.

Winning teams will earn medals for their efforts; however, the St. Mary’s way teaches one’s true reward is grounded in teamwork.

“Victories revolve around pride,” Glowacki said.

The free-of-charge event is subject to satisfactory weather conditions. In case of inclement weather, it could be rescheduled.