Fox Chapel team savors trip to national rowing finals

By: Josh Rizzo
Saturday, June 1, 2024 | 11:01 AM

A rowing machine was always located in Fox Chapel sophomore Niko Vavpetic’s basement. But he didn’t know much about his dad’s time competing while he was attended Harvard.

When Vavpetic showed an interest, his dad worked with him to help keep him on track for success in competition. So far, Vavpetic has benefitted from the lessons.

This season, Vavpetic teamed with senior Lucas Gravina to place sixth at the SRAA Regatta in Pennsauken, N.J. Vavpetic said his dad never said much about rowing before his sons showed an interest.

“I started in eighth grade after my brother joined during his sophomore year,” Vavpetic said. “My dad used to row at Harvard. He kind of helped us get into the right mindset and process. He taught us some techniques that some of other coaches didn’t know.”

Vavpetic, who also qualified as a freshman in the ninth-grade division, has now been at nationals for two straight seasons.

Vavpetic, who also plays ice hockey, said he plans to attend the USRowing Youth Develop Camp at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga this summer.

“Personally, I wanted to get recruited to row for college,” Vavpetic said. “I’ve had a few coaches reach out to me. It’s possible. I think this is my main spot, which has changed over the years. Pursuing that further is one of my personal goals.”

Vavpetic and Gravina qualified for the finals after a sweaty semifinal race in which they qualified by a small margin. It was a remarkably strong performance for a team that had only competed with each other in a handful of races.

Vavpetic believed they could make the final race.

“I think it was right around where we expected,” Vavpetic said. “Our main goal was to make finals and we did the best we could. We weren’t sure until we raced against them what other teams were capable of. Making the finals was a huge success for us.”

Vavpetic and Gravina both wanted to turn in a performance Fox Chapel’s team could be proud of. Vaveptic also wanted to make Gravina’s final high school race special.

Participating in nationals the past two seasons has made Vaveptic grow his fondness for the sport.

“I love the teamwork of it,” Vavpetic said. “Being able to push yourself and your friends past their limits every day to make something fast and beautiful on the water. I think it’s one of the most beautiful sports to watch.”

Tags: Fox Chapel