The Success
While the goal of ARION is international medals, success is defined by growth
Racing
Racing opportunities are few and far between at the elite level. ARION actively works to offer more opportunity than less. Racing is fun and offers us valuable experience and lessons along the way.
Olympics
2021 TEAM USA: After 5 years at ARION, Kristi Wagner earned a seat in the women's double that raced at the Tokyo Olympics alongside doubles partner Dr. Gevvie Stone. Kristi was the first athlete to entrust her journey to the ARION program shortly after the 2016 Olympic trials. And while the journey took the full Olympic Cycle the entire rowing community of Saratoga celebrated as they followed her journey in 2021.
World Championships
After just one year ARION made its name on the international scene
2017 TEAM USA: Kara Soucek was the spare sculler as she made her first senior team just one year out of college. Elizabeth Sonshine and Maureen McAuliffe both made the Womens Quad in their first senior team experience as well. The 2017 quad finished 5th at the World Championships.
2018 TEAM USA: Second time around, Kara Soucek moved from the spare to stroking the Womens Quad. Maureen McAuliffe and Elizabeth Sonshine also earned spots in the Womens quad for a second time.
2022 TEAM USA: Returning from her Olympic year, Kristi Wagner again raced in the USA Women's Double. In 2022 ARION introduced 2 new first time national team athletes into the system. Savannah Brija raced in the Womens quad, and Hannah Paynter filled the role as the spare for team USA
2023 TEAM USA: Rowing at her second world championships with partner Sophia Vitas, Kristi earned the first world championships medal for an ARION athlete with a bronze in the Women's double. 2023 also saw two new ARION athletes make team USA. Lauren O'Connor competed in the Womens quad, and Kaitlyn Kynast filled the role as the sweep spare for Team USA
Pan Am Games
2023 Team USA: In addition to the World Championships and Olympics, in 2023 several ARION members represented the USA for the PanAm games. Veronica Nicacio and Maddy Focht raced in the W2x (Gold) W4x (Gold) and W8+ (Silver). Kate Horvat raced in the W4x (Gold) and the W8+ (Silver). Hannah Paynter raced in the W2- (Gold), W8+ (Silver), W4- (Silver), and Mix8+ (Gold). Lauren Miller raced in the W4- (Silver), W8+ (Silver) and Mix8+ (Gold).
World Cup & Henley Royal
In addition to the World Championships and Olympics, ARION has traveled overseas for international experience to Henley Royal 2016 and 2019, and to World Cup III in 2019. In all events the womens quad was entered. International experience is an important component toward future success, and ARION celebrated growth across all of these events as they were able to line up against the eventual Olympic winning Chinese in the Henley Royal and a full field in the challenging conditions of the grand final at World Cup III.
ARION Domestic Experience
In addition to seeking out international opportunities, ARION eagerly seeks racing opportunities at USRowing speed orders and trials as well as Head of the Charles, Canadian Henley regatta, and USRowing National Championships. ARION also hosts several small regattas on Fish Creek in conjunction with larger events and extends invitations to other local high performance clubs.
