{"id":155767,"date":"2016-08-25T15:14:01","date_gmt":"2016-08-25T05:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=155767"},"modified":"2024-08-07T15:01:23","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T05:01:23","slug":"tessas-rowing-for-gold-tonight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2016\/08\/25\/tessas-rowing-for-gold-tonight\/","title":{"rendered":"Tessa’s Rowing For Gold Tonight"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
FLASHBACK: Then-principal Michael Nayler with guest speaker Tessa Carty and her mother Sue Carty at the 2015 St Mary’s Catholic College Awards night<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"<\/a>August 25, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

by Bronwyn Marquardt*<\/strong><\/p>\n

UPDATE: No luck for the Aussies tonight but still a huge effort by Tessa and her crewmates!<\/b><\/p>\n

As Australians welcome their Olympians home and count down to the Paralympics, they’re probably unaware another world class sporting event is underway … and a South Burnett athlete is in the hot seat.<\/p>\n

Former St Mary\u2019s Catholic College student Tessa Carty will be rowing in the finals at the World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam in the early hours of Friday (August 26).<\/p>\n

Tessa, 21, is a member of the Under 23 Women\u2019s Quadruple Scull, which streamed through to the finals just behind France and ahead of Great Britain and China earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Tessa and her mum Sue, who is also well-known as a former St Mary’s teacher, said they were thrilled with the performance, which was achieved despite driving rain and windy conditions in both the heats and repecharge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were tears,\u201d Sue admitted, saying the tension of the week had \u201calmost killed\u201d her.<\/p>\n

The repechage decided which team would make it to the A+ finals.<\/p>\n

Tessa was part of the team which took home a silver medal in last year\u2019s World Championships in Bulgaria, coming second to Poland.<\/p>\n

Late last year she was named Queensland\u2019s best female rower in the State, at just 20 years of age.<\/p>\n

Until March, she had been training for the Rio Olympics, but just missed out. However, that gave her more time to focus on Rotterdam.<\/p>\n

\u201cThings happen for a reason,\u201d Sue said. \u201cTess is out to improve on the silver from 2015. We\u2019re all so proud of her.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mum and daughter duo were at St Mary\u2019s – Sue for 16 years and Tessa for 11 – before the family moved to Bundaberg.<\/p>\n

Tessa still lists Kingaroy as her hometown on her official Rowing Australia athlete profile, and returns regularly to visit her grandparents Beryl and Bob on the family farm.<\/p>\n

Last year, Tessa inspired students at the annual St Mary\u2019s College Awards Night with her story of jumping at the opportunities life gives and working hard for one\u2019s dreams.<\/p>\n

It was at Bundaberg that Tessa was identified by a Queensland Academy of Sport scout as being a perfect build for rowing.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Tessa Carty … competing in the Under 23 Women\u2019s Quadruple Scull\u00a0(Photo: Rowing NSW)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The former arts and drama fan had never even picked up an oar, but, in spite of finding the sport tricky initially, she proved to be a natural.<\/strong><\/p>\n

She was invited to train at the QAS headquarters in Brisbane, a big move for a country girl.<\/p>\n

And, as well as early morning starts and living away from her close-knit family, there have been other sacrifices as well.<\/p>\n

Rowing is not traditionally a well-sponsored sport, and last year and again this year, Tessa\u2019s family was forced to open GoFundMe accounts to help get her to the World Championships to represent her country.<\/p>\n

She has also held-down a job and continued her studies while training for the world championships, and possibly, the Tokyo Olympics.<\/p>\n

But for now Tessa and her team-mate from last year\u2019s final Rowena Meredith, will be joined by Bridget Badenoch and Caitlin Cronin to race for Australia early tomorrow.<\/p>\n

Tessa believes that under coach Ben Southwell, they have every chance to win gold.<\/p>\n

But in her team\u2019s case, they are already winners.<\/p>\n