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Local rowers seek assistance to compete at Under 23 World Championships in Italy

Jun 24, 2022 | Sports Scene

The Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association (BSRA), a nonprofit athletic organization located at 405 Ohio St. in Buffalo, is turning to the local community for help sending two of their athletes and their coach to the U23 World Rowing Championships in Venice, Italy, July 25-30.

Rowers Nathaniel Sass and Collin Hay have made Team USA as the Men’s Lightweight Pair. Sass, a Clarence native and graduate of Canisius High School, rowed at Boston University and is heading to UPenn in the fall. Hay, a native of Massachusetts now training at BSRA, is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Rowing together for one year, they are coached by R.J. Rubino of Buffalo, head coach of BSRA’s Under 23 program and Canisius High School Rowing.

Qualifying for Team USA and the World Rowing Championships was only half the battle. Now, the trio must raise approximately $12,000 to fund the trip as USRowing and World Rowing do not provide financial support for athletes and coaches.

“After coaching Sass to multiple national championship wins while he attended Canisius High School, it became clear he had the makings of an elite oarsmen,” added Rubino. “His synergy with Hay is explosive. It is our objective to win a World Championship for the City of Buffalo!”

“I rate these two young men as exceptional competitors who have one goal — gold at the 2022 World Rowing Championships. They choose to row for Buffalo (BSRA) because we are dedicated to teaching and performing. They deserve a world stage and Buffalo deserves the Gold Medal,” said Joe Krakowiak, coach of the 1986 U19 World Championship and current VP of Rowing at BSRA.

To assist in the fundraising efforts, BSRA will host a community fundraiser at their Ohio Street facility at 7 p.m. Friday, July 1. The event will feature music by The Taverners, beverages and a 50/50 raffle. Please contact BSRA for more information.

Individuals and businesses interested in donating are asked to contact BSRA at in**@ro********.com or (716) 855-4618. You can also donate by clicking on the following link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BNWBVNSF8H7X8.

 

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