Sheer determination helped the Brisbane Boys College 1st VIII rowing crew break a 19-year drought to win GPS rowing's ultimate prize, the Head of the River open eight division one pennant on Saturday.
With the words of their captain of boats Sam Crook to inspire them - "in order to achieve glory, you must do something the boat next to you is not willing to do" - the crew overcame Churchie's half-boat length lead in the last 500 metres of the history-laden race at Wyaralong Dam, much to the excitement of the green, white and black supporters watching on.
The crew that included Goondiwindi's Toby Macpherson won the race in a time of 6:05.78, ahead of the Anglican Church Grammar School or 'Churchie', and St Joseph's Gregory Terrace.
Churchie won the Old Boys Cup, the aggregate trophy, for the third year in a row, a tribute to the depth of its rowing program.
The BBC 1st VIII co-coach Scott Laidler, who hails from Longreach, said the race had gone to plan.
"We knew if it came down to a dogfight the boys would come out on top," he said.
"In that last 500m when they were down to Churchie they showed a lot of grit.
"I've not seen that determination from a schoolboy eight before - our boys kept on hunting."
The crew consisted of cox Lachlan Maclean, Monti Martin, Lex Tucker, Toby Macpherson, Robert Atkinson, Robbo Robertson, Oliver Milne, Nick Munro and Sam Crook.
Mr Laidler said the two reserves, Finlay Harris and Levi Lennon, had also been a huge part of the crew's journey to the top podium.
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He said they had been a really strong crew from the time they started in Year 8, a testament to the work put in by coach Randall Martin over the years.
Both he and Mr Laidler are BBC old scholars. While Mr Martin was part of a winning 1st VIII in 1990 and went on to represent Australia at junior and under 23 levels, Mr Laidler's crew some years later had to settle for second place after battling illness in the lead-up.
Mr Laidler said the COVID pandemic had probably done this year's crew a good turn in showing the importance of hygiene, resulting in no illness all season.
"Otherwise, when there were lockdowns we sent them home with ergo machines," he said. "The result on Saturday was a bit of closure for me."
He has since competed for Australia at junior, under 23 and senior levels, winning a bronze medal in the men's VIII at the 2013 Sydney World Cup.
His coach Tim McLaren, currently coaching the US men's Olympic team, was back in Australia last year and made a cameo appearance at a BBC training session this season.
Also rowing with the team was Mr Laidler's fiance Olivia Carnegie-Brown, a UK rowing silver medallist.
"Randall and I would each jump in the boat when there were injuries, and to get a feel for what was going on," Mr Laidler said.
"We left no stone unturned, physically, mentally or technically.
"Overall, they're incredibly talented and trusted what we put forward to them."
The school now intends to race a schoolboy VIII and coxed IV at the national rowing championships at Lake Barrington in Tasmania from March 22-28.
The BBC crew has five Year 11 students and Mr Laidler said a repeat performance was definitely part of the plan for the 2021-22 season.
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Sally Gall
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
Based at Blackall, CW Qld, where I've raised a family, run Merino sheep and beef cattle, and helped develop a region - its history, tourism, education and communications. Get in touch at 0427 575 955 if you've got a story idea for me.
