World Record Was Set At The Atlantic City, NJ Convention Center

While you were going about your weekend, a world record was set in an inaugural event held at the Atlantic City, New Jersey Convention Center.

Believe it or not!

And, we are reporting that you should believe it, as we were in attendance and can verify it.

On the first day of the the 2023 USRowing Atlantic City Indoor National Championships … TriStar Rowing's Katherine Feret won two events, setting a new world record in the process.

Feret won the under 15 2,000-meter race in a 7:20.3, which set a new world record for 12 years old and under in the 2,000-meter race.

A few hours later, Feret also won the children’s 500-meter race.

Here is smiling Katherine Feret:

Feret told the USRowing Association:

"I don't know what was really going through my head, but I had a lot of people behind me cheering - my whole team, my brother, my coaches," said Feret, who began rowing during the summer of 2021. "| stopped (playing) soccer, and it was either this or swimming. The first day I started a learn to row camp, I was hooked,” said Feret.

Indoor nationals is being run concurrently with the 2023 USRowing Annual Convention with the following events:

Under 15, under 16, under 17, under 19, under 23, open, para, and masters categories.

There is also the traditional 2,000-meter format, and competitors have the opportunity to compete in a triathlon with the erg, bike erg and ski erg, as well as 500-meters sprints, watts tests, and more.

Medals will be awarded in a total of 65 categories by the end of today’s competition.

More than 660 athletes are racing this weekend, in the inaugural event.

Former New Jersey Senator Bill Gormley is the visionary behind this inaugural event.

The energy level has been incredibly high throughout this spirited competition.

To add additional flavor and context to this event, we reached out to Lynne Kesselman, a driving force of this inaugural competition, who told us:

“The energy level in the arena is fantastic, with competitors and spectators all excitedly supporting each racing group.”

“We have competitors as young as elementary school age. One of our very proud medalists competed in the open category, had never raced before and just had knee surgery.”

It was so heartwarming to see her hugging her medals. There's such a variety of levels and opportunities for competing.”

“USRowing is an incredible partner to have and we are so pleased to welcome them here again.”

“We've received compliments from the people saying this is the most well-run indoor erg race they've ever been to, so it makes us all proud to be able to showcase our beautiful city in the best light.”

“ And I would very much like to give a shout out and heartfelt thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers,” said Lynne Kesselman.

In what has been billed as the most contested event of the regatta, The USRowing Association called it like this:

“Lawrenceville School's Harry Halper earned the victory in the under 19 men's 2,000-meter race by just over two seconds, winning with a time of 6:17.4. Christian Brothers Academy Crew's James Larrabee finished second in a 6:19.7. With 137 rowers showing up to race, Larabee held a slight advantage through the middle 1,000 meters before Halper was able to pull ahead in the sprint. The Lawrenceville Schools' Charlie Vachris took the bronze medal in a 6:20.6,” said The USRowing Association.

Other event winners include:

• Oak Neck Academy's Brooke Seebeck took gold in the U19 women's 2,000-meter event, crossing the finish line in a 7:10.5
• New Trier High School Rowing's Connor Gamse won the men's U17 event in a 6:22.4
• Radnor Girls Crew Club's Zara Taylor won the  women's U17 event in a 7:32.7
• In the men's triathlon event, which is raced across the rowing erg, bike erg and ski erg, Penn AC's Michael Herman won in 4:47.8
• Amanda Stewart won the women's triathlon event.

More than 350 rowing coaches, from schools around the country are in attendance this weekend in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

All of this action took place on just Day 1.

Racing continues today, at 8:30 a.m. and will be streamed live on USRowing's YouTube channel. A complete schedule can be found here. Click here for complete information about this dynamic event.

SOURCE: Our attendance & USRowing Association.