November 19-20, 2011 -NEW ORLEANS, LA Toms River High School South's sailing team was one of 42 schools that went to New Orleans this weekend to compete in the Great Oaks National Championship Regatta hosted by Southern Yacht Club and sponsored by the All-State Sugar Bowl. Teams from all regions of the country, including both coasts, the mid-west and Hawaii sailed in Lake Ponchatrain over the two day event. Windward-leeward courses were sailed with single division rotations after one race. Saturday's conditions included NE winds at 10-12 mph under sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70's. Sunday's races were initially postponed due to dense fog, but after clearing, sailing was completed in light and shifty breeze that gradually built to 10 mph by early afternoon with temperatures rising to the high 70's.
Toms River South's sailors, Charlie Nunn '12, Jimmy Kennedy '13, Shelby Jacobs '13 and Kiaya Jacobs '13 represented South in the school's first time participation in the event. Charlie skippered eleven of the races on Saturday, and Kiaya two races with Jimmy and Shelby crewing, to earn a berth in the Gold fleet with a dominating low point score of 20 points. Sunday's racing resumed with Charlie and Shelby in the boat for all twelve races of the day. With consistent finishes by the top five schools throughout the day, the final outcome of the regatta was not determined until the very last races and the judges' rulings on several protest hearings.
Of the top three schools, Toms River South finished first (70 points); second went to the White Bear School, White Bear Lake, MN (72 points); third place went to Tampa Jesuit from Tampa , FL (90 points). South was awarded the first place trophy for the Great Oaks Regatta along with the All-State Sugar Bowl Trophy for first place. Additionally, the team won the Babara & Lawrence White Trophy for the highest placing school for first time attendance at the regatta. South's name will be added to the trophies which remain on display at Southern Yacht Club.
This is South's first participation at any type of National high school regatta since Clay Johnson '03, Jessica Stewart '03, Reed Johnson '04, Katie Carmody '04 and Tarra Corrigan '04 competed for South in the 2003 Mallory National Championship, ending with a 3rd place finish. Southern Regional also competed at the regatta and finished 17th in Gold Fleet. ongratulations to all the teams who not only represented their schools on the national level but also respresented the State of New Jersey.
