Rowing her way to success

Senior leads way for her team

By Elizabeth Truelove | Staff Writer

Ignoring the excruciating pain in her legs and pushing against the footplate in her boat, senior Sophia Clavenna takes the last 10 strokes to finish her second race at Head of the Charles on Oct. 23 in Boston, Mass. After completing her race at the largest regatta in the world, Clavenna collapses out of exhaustion and attempts to regain her breath. In celebration, her boat shares high fives after completing the 4,702 meters of the race.

“Charles is 100% my favorite regatta,” Clavenna said. “It’s like a celebration of the rowing community and everyone’s hard work.”

As a member of the Charles quad for the second year in a row, Clavenna said while racing, she felt motivated to pull for the seniors who had rowed with her the year before. To keep a team’s bid in the regatta, their boat must place in the top 50% of their race. This year, the quad placed 13th, the best result since Hockaday began racing a quad at the Charles.

“It is really fun to see the legacy continue year after year, especially since I was in the quad last year and we never thought we were going to do so well,” Clavenna said.

Clavenna began her rowing career freshman year, never imagining she would reach this level of competitiveness.

“I was never extremely good at one sport in middle school, so I wanted to try something different,” Clavenna said. “My friend said she was going to try out, and I thought ‘We’ll see what happens.’”

After making the team and excelling throughout her novice year, Clavenna became a vital part of Hockaday Crew, also described as compassionate, strong and a great leader by her teammates and coaches.

CAPTAINS’ CORNER

she declined, opting to run independently.

“I thought it would be a lot more empowering for me if I do it alone,” she said.

Junior Eva Spak also had not run long distances frequently before deciding to participate in the Half Marathon.

“I’ve never done a marathon,” Spak said. “I just finished cross country season — I had run a bunch of 5Ks and liked those, but that was the longest distance I’ve ever run.”

She joined the cross country team for the first time for the 2022 season and has yet to look back.

“I enjoy running,” Spak said. “I think it’s a good place to let all my frustrations out, clear my head and be alone with my thoughts.”

To prepare for the Half, the Spak is continuing her cross country training, working on her speed and endurance. Spak also joined a high school running club, where she practices and runs weekend races.

“I wanted to finish this year out with a bang,” she said.

Spak said the decision to sign up for the race was spontaneous and she wanted to do something different her junior year.

As all three runners take their places the morning of the Dallas Half Marathon. Connolly plans to have friends and family at mile markers to cheer her on, and Spak and Harris both look forward to a feeling of accomplishment once they cross the finish line.

After winning an SPC title last year, varsity soccer looks to take on this year’s challenges and bring home yet another. Recently, the team played against Bishop Lynch and won 2-1. Senior co-captains Jojo Ma and Sarah Connolly are excited to bond with the team. Ma and Connolly draw inspiration from the previous captains and hope to continue the HVS legacy.

“I am really excited to see all that HVS will accomplish this year,” Ma said. “We have a lot to prove and I am confident we can defend HVS’s legacy.”

Following the SPC title last year, the varsity swim team heads into the season eager to continue that momentum. Senior co-captains Lola Isom and Mary Grace Martin both have the goal to keep the team spirit high and make swimming enjoyable for everyone. The first meet was Dec. 1 against Prestonwood Baptist. Isom said she hopes the team members form a strong bond by the end of the season, and looks forward to seeing her classmates cheering on the team.

“Sophia is very supportive and caring for others,” teammate Carmen Duque-Diaz said. “She takes charge and makes sure everyone knows what to do, but she’s not bossy.”

Taking the role as co-captain this year, Clavenna said she hopes to continue the supportive culture among her team. She said the welcoming, united community is why those who join the team want to come back each season.

“My biggest accomplishment in rowing is, with the help of previous captains, I’ve helped the team culture grow into what it is today,” she said.

Varsity basketball gears up for another season with junior co-captains Chloe Johnson and Ashna Tambe excited for the upcoming season. Recently, the team played on Nov. 17 against Milford and won 55-38. Both captains said they are are excited to create a bond the team will share, and cannot wait to see what they accomplish. They have also set goals to win the SPC North Zone championship this year.

“I am so excited for this basketball season with our young team and ready to see what we can accomplish as one united team,” Johnson said.