The Old Lyme Rowing Association (OLRA) held a christening ceremony Saturday, May 14, at Hains Park in Old Lyme to name the boy’s varsity coxed four boat the “Coach Roach” in honor of now retired Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) coach and Athletic Director Rob Roach. The OLRA wanted to recognize Roach’s long history of commitment to the youth of Old Lyme and his passion for crew, noting that during his tenure as LOLHS Athletic Director, Roach was both a friend and supporter of high school crew.
Following a tribute by OLRA President Greg Hack, in traditional fashion Roach drizzled “champagne” on the new craft, which was promptly placed in the waters of Rogers Lake by the Lyme-Old Lyme High School first four. Old Lyme Selectmen MaryJo Nosal and Arthur ‘Skip’ Sibley, along with several members of the Roach family were in attendance, as well as OLRA board members, athletes and parents.
The “Coach Roach” had, in fact, already been used with all of the other coxed fours in the largest regatta hosted at Hains Park in recent memory. Seven schools (Lyme-Old Lyme, Valley Regional and Old Saybrook High Schools; Berkshire, Hopkins, Canterbury and Dexter Southfield Schools) had enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on the placid waters of Rogers Lake. The Boys IV (rowing the “Coach Roach”) finished third while the Girls IV finished second. For more results, visit www.row2k.com
On the same day, LOLHS (Class of 2014) graduate Liam Corrigan, who is now a Harvard sophomore, won the prestigious Eastern Sprints, stroking the Harvard second eight, and LOLHS (Class of 2010) and Stanford University (Class of 2014) graduate Austin Hack was named to the US Men’s eight with a May 24 chance to compete in the Rio Olympics (click to read related story on LymeLine.com.)