A young team—and already so ambitious: The athletes from the Steinmühlen rowing team brought home three medals from the state rowing championship “Youth Trains for the Olympics” in Kassel.

“The outcome was effectively decided on Saturday, when all the teams had qualified for the finals,” says head coach Martin Strohmenger (“Stromi”), raving about the young athletes. The result was all the more impressive given that everyone managed to perform at their very best—despite coming from different performance levels.

Steinmühle fielded a team of 12 plus 2 active players

Twelve athletes, along with two reserve rowers and support staff, arrived at the training center over the weekend. The rowers battled it out in the scorching heat with everything on the line. Given the highly competitive field, it was unlikely that every participant would end up on the podium. “A wonderful team is coming together,” said coach Martin Strohmenger, full of praise for the young athletes as their success became apparent. At the same time, he acknowledged the support of the many parents who had traveled with them.

Back to the Lahn with three bronze medals in tow

Third place (bronze medal) in Competition Class 3 in the coxed quadruple sculls (ages 13–14) was won by: Lotta Funk, Freya Dorndorf, Lara Khatib, Emma Schütt, and coxswain Hanni Fuchs.

Also finishing in third place—and thus earning a bronze medal—in the same age group in the boys’ gig quadruple sculls were: Ole Brutzer, Julian Lange, Jakob Heck, Ricardo Tapia, and coxswain Mika Nordwald.

Julian Steinkamp and Vincent Pfarr also took third place—and thus another bronze medal—in Competition Class 2 in the double sculls (ages 15–17).

Johannes Figiel and Lara Burk were there as substitutes and volunteers. Their tremendous effort, as well as the strong commitment shown by Michael Neirich as the school rowing coordinator and Maurits Juhre (FSJ rowing volunteer), cannot be praised highly enough.

“We’re on the right track”

“Our fresh start has become evident,” the coach said with satisfaction, noting that some participants had decided at the last minute to take part despite the challenges, in order to capitalize on the momentum.

“During the previous week of training at our base in Mannheim, 33 students had given it a try, but in the end, some didn’t have the guts to compete in Kassel,” says “Stromi,” describing this minor setback. He’s certain: “Among those who stayed home, one or two still had potential; some capable rowers stayed home as well.” They plan to rethink the organizational aspects of this in the future. Martin Strohmenger is pleased, however, that the Steinmühlen rowers’ appearance at “Youth Trains for the Olympics”—after a long absence—has already been such a success. “You performed exceptionally well. A movement is beginning here. Thank you very much to everyone.”

(Angela Heinemann)