1998 Springside Crew Team

In 1998, the crew program earned its first invitation to the USRA Youth Championships, the national championships for scholastic rowing. Competing in the 2000-meter races, the Springside women overcame last-minute roster changes. This experience laid the foundation for the program’s rapid rise and growing success.

Amanda Gifford Cobb ’99, Julia Paradiso Doll ’00, Clara Elias ’00, and Jennie Udell ’00 paved the way for the girls’ program to be recognized not only as a varsity sport but also as a strong sculling program regionally and nationwide. 

The 1999 season showcased the team’s remarkable competitiveness and depth. Narrowly losing five races to Lower Merion by a combined 2.5 seconds, the team carried that momentum through the Philadelphia City Championships and Stotesbury Cup Regatta. At the SRAA Scholastic Championships, the JV boat earned silver, while the Varsity Quad battled fiercely against top crews from the U.S. and Canada. In a dramatic finish, Springside captured first place by just 0.6 seconds, becoming national champions in only their third season—a testament to the team’s strength, determination, and character.