B-CC Women’s Crew Team Makes History

Bethesda-Chevy Chase (B-CC) Crew Team Coaches Unleash Women’s Potential

November 18, 2024

It isn’t every day that you see a group of teenage girls making their dreams come true in their rowing shell gliding down the Potomac at sunset. These girls and their coaches have set incredible records and had a phenomenal season this past fall. The women’s team at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School has broken all kinds of records this fall season.

They started off like most seasons do – with tough practices, blisters on their hands, doing homework next to their beloved ergs, and trudging back and forth to Thompson Boat House.

But something magical happened this season – the girls came together with grit and determination to build one of the fastest boats in the DMV area. The mental toughness, camaraderie, willingness to put aside disagreements, and the girls’ commitment to strength and teamwork day in and day out was really something to behold.

The season began on October 13 at the Occoquan Chase in Virginia where the Women’s Youth 8+ took first place in their category for the first time since 2019.

One highlight of the season is taking boats up to Boston for the esteemed Head of the Charles Regatta on October 20. At that race, 12 B-CC athletes made history. The Women’s Youth 8+ placed 16th out of 90 boats making them the highest ever placing B-CC boat in school history. This also made them the highest placing women’s scholastic boat ever to represent the DC area. The girls competed against the country’s top club programs that pull from dozens of high schools, however, if you look at just the scholastic programs that the team competes against in the spring, B-CC was #2 overall.

Coming off of the successful run at the Head of the Charles, the girls finished the season by winning the Head of the Occoquan on November 2 – coming in a full 20 seconds faster than the next fastest boat.

The team has witnessed incredible growth and success under the leadership of Brian Comey and his coaching team: Zalyn Bajor, Erik Thomas, Susan Rappold, Mark Parrish and Chloe Palmer. They are full of heart, kindness, compassion, inspiration and pure love for the team and these young women. Brian is so talented and knows just the right way to inspire a team, teach valuable life lessons and still have fun. He has made such a difference in the lives of these kids.

Many of the parents have seen a truly stunning transformation of the team under Brian’s leadership. Brian has found a way to truly bring out the best in these young women and give them the opportunities of a lifetime.

Brian was named Washington Post All Met coach of the year in 2023 and the women’s varsity team was named Washington Post All Met team of the year as well.

Pictured at the Head of the Charles Regatta:
Kate S.
Kyra M.
Bryn J.
Ava T. (co-captain)
Talia S.
Lizzy R. (co-captain)
Mila C.
Sadie M.
Allie B

We look forward to seeing this crew in action in spring of 2024.