2016 & 2017 FSRA NORTH FL REGIONAL OVERALL CHAMPIONS | 2016, 2018 & 2022 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE CHAMPIONS
1ST PLACE 2018 FSRA NORTH FL REGIONAL CHAMPIONS IN BOYS 1V8+, 2V8+ & 3V8+
2ND PLACE SCHOLASTIC IN 2017, 2018 & 2019 FSRA STATE SWEEP CHAMPIONSHIP
5TH PLACE SCHOLASTIC IN 2021 FSRA STATE SWEEP CHAMPIONSHIP
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Serving more than 850 students in grades 6-12, Episcopal School of Jacksonville offers a balanced college preparatory program of challenging academics, exemplary arts activities and competitive athletics within a warm, supportive and achievement-oriented environment rooted in Christian values.
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Proud to be the first secondary school rowing program in North Florida, Episcopal has been rowing since 1971. Originally located on the Episcopal School of Jacksonville main campus, the program moved to the school's 18 acre Raymond D. Knight Sports Campus in 1974. The Knights Sports Campus is the only campus in Jacksonville devoted solely to middle school and high school sports.
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Dedicated on January 10, 2004, the Episcopal Rowing middle school and high school teams practices at the Walton Boathouse, designed by Jeff Peterson, a well-known architect of many premier boathouses. Situated among a canopy of statuesque live oaks along the Arlington River in Jacksonville, Florida, the Walton Boathouse gives direct river access to our rowing teams during practice. The ample bays are capable of holding the rowers' many shells and the building is complete with erg machines, work-out facilities, trophy, meeting and locker rooms and a lounge overlooking the water.
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The boys and girls squads each row a fall club season leading up to the main championship season in the spring.
This year the focus is promoting the team and ensuring each student athlete can reach their potential for greatness, both on and off the water. The depth and teamwork will lead to future success, epecially for rowers who are committed to pushing each others mental and physical limits while enjoying the fun and camaraderie this unique sport has to offer.
The Episcopal Eagles rowing team placed first in the 2016 & 2017 North Florida Regional/City Championship. Our boys 1V8+, 2V8+ and 3V8+ placed 1st in the 2018 North Florida Regional Championship. We were 2016 & 2018 City of Jacksonville Champions. We finished 3rd place scholastic in the 2016 FSRA State Sweep Championship and finished 2nd place scholastic in the State of Florida in the 2017 FSRA State Sweep Championship competing among 41 other schools and rowing clubs. With over 125 middle school rowers this season, our award winning program is improving every year and continues to grow in excellence and consistency. GO EAGLES!
Want to row? Experience the difference that our rowing program has to offer!
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MEET OUR HEAD COACHES
Mike Alton, Rowing Program Director & Head Girls Coach
Prior to joining Episcopal School of Jacksonville as the Rowing Program Director and Head Girls Coach, Mike Alton served as the head men's rowing coach at Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, NY. Prior to that, he served as the head rowing coach at Vassar College. Coach Alton graduated from Temple University with a bachelor of science degree in physical education. He then went on to obtain his master of education degree in physical education with an emphasis on exercise physiology. Coach Alton has held professional affiliations as a Division III NCAA Women's Rowing Championship Committee Member, a member of the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association, Chair of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Advisory Committee and member of the Hudson River Rowing Association Board of Directors.
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You can reach Coach Mike Alton at altonm@esj.org or call 904-396-5751 ext. 1615
Peter D. Washburn, Head Boys Coach
Prior to joining Episcopal School of Jacksonville as the as the Head Boys Coach, Pete Washburn served as the head men's rowing coach at Phillips Academy Andover in Andover, MA . Pete comes from a long lineage of rowing coaches as his grandfather, Davis Washburn, coached at St. Andrew's School in Delaware for 40 years. Pete and his brothers Andy and Tom all rowed for him there before going on to row at Syracuse, where Pete graduated; all three brothers have coached at some point. As a collegiate rower, Pete's team won the US Lightweight 8 in 1971 and the US Lightweight 4 in 1974. During his coaching career, Pete led Andover to six championship seasons, all but one with his own boys on board. Pete and his wife Kit have nine children (7 boys & 2 girls). His sons have rowed for prestigous institutions such as Navy, Harvard and Princeton. In 2006, Pete was inducted as member into the Leander Club, one of the oldest and renowned rowing clubs in the world.
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You can reach Coach Pete Washburn at washburnp@esj.org or call 904-396-5751 ext. 1615
David Wandel, Head Middle School Coach
Dave has been coaching the Middle School rowing program at Episcopal School of Jacksonville for 5 years. He and his coaching staff focus on teaching our student athletes basic sweep rowing skills while having fun competing with other middle school programs in our area. In addition to teaching on-water skills, middle school rowers are taught boat handling and balance, safety on the water, as well as indoor rowing technique on the ergometer (rowing machine).
Prior to joining Episcopal School of Jacksonville, Dave graduated from Penn State University in 2012. Dave also coaches the Middle School Volleyball program and teaches 8th grade Science and AP Environmental Science at our school.
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You can reach Coach Dave Wandell at wandeld@esj.org or call 904-396-5751 ext. 1615
