Weeks of hard training paid off for Crystal Piper at the Australian National Rowing Championships recently where she was the only rower from the Lower Clarence Rowing Club and Maclean High School to compete. The week just kept getting better for her, winning a silver and bronze medal. Her week started off with a 7th in the final of the Women’s Under 19 single scull via the heats, repechage and semi-final. In the WU19 double scull Crystal and Georgia Bradley (Sydney Rowing Club) finished 6th in their semi-final after winning their heat. Crystal joined a composite crew from University of WA, Sydney and Leichhardt Rowing Clubs for the WU19 quad scull where after winning their heat went on to win the silver medal in the final. The week finished on a high for Crystal when rowing in Maclean High School colours she won the bronze medal in the final of the Australian Open School Girl’s Championship single scull having progressed to the final via heat, repechage and semi-final. A wonderful effort for the 16 year old at Australia’s National Rowing Regatta and congratulations to her. Thank you to Crystal’s coach Harold Kratz for helping her get to this level. Clare Millist