Rice Creek Boat Club athletes traveled to Seattle to compete in USA Canoe/Kayak's National Championships last week. Sarah Tokos, Danzig (Ziggy) Norberg and Lucas Forster (Irondale), Jacob Thayer (Spring Lake Park HS), and Julia Johnson (Roseville) all K-1 and K-2 at 200, 500 and 1000 meter distances. Flatwater sprint kayaking is the same format and distances as seen at the Olympics earlier this month. US Nationals is generally a stepping stone to potentially competing on an Olympic team in the future.

Ziggy again demonstrated why he was on the Paracanoe National Team at the World Championships last spring, winning his division. Lucas and Jacob both advanced to finals in their respective U--18 and U-16 age groups against a very talented (and deep) field. Sarah and Julia both made the finals in all races entered, taking Bronze in K-2 1000 and 200 meter, and Silver in the 500. Julia won the B final at 200meters, with Sarah finishing 5th in the 1000, 4th at 200, and was just edged out (photo finish, 2 inches!) of the Gold at 500 meters. Lani Chapko of Seattle won the Gold in all three K-1 races - quite an accomplishment, and a testament to a lot of hard work this year.  (Photo: Sarah Tokos and Julia Johnson taking the silver medal in the K2 500, Greg Johnson)

With these outstanding results, Sarah and Julia have both been nominated to attend the fall National Development Camp at Oklahoma City in September. Marsh Jones has also been named a member of the coaching staff for the camp. These athletes will continue training throughout the year with a goal of making the US National Team going to Junior Worlds to be held in Welland, Ontario next summer.