Westminster Christain Academy wins Fall Championship

GAINESVILLE - In the best Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club Middle School Fall Championship regatta yet, the Westminster Christian Academy reclaimed the Community Olympic Development Program - Fall Challenge championship trophy that they won in the fall of 2002. <br> <br> This regatta was the most competitive to date with all of the schools within 45 points of each other. <br> <br> The top three schools were separated by only 6 points. <br> <br> More than 160 middle school athletes participated in the program.<br> <br> The weather was perfect ... sunny with a hint of fall in the air, the new venue was magnificent and the regatta was one of the best run yet! Athletes were invited to join the fall beginner paddling program coached by LCKC head coach Kris Lepianka. <br> <br> This fall program was the last one to be headed by volunteer Leslie Brass who has chaired the middle school racing league for the past two years. <br> <br> Under Leslie&#39;s leadership, the program has made great improvement. She has focused on coach development, equipment procurement and developing the organization to support this popular and rapidly growing entry level program. <br> <br> Greg Bowers will become the chair for the 2004 CODP Middle School program. Margo Mickle was Events chair and has worked to improve the local officials and volunteer support staff for events at Lanier. <br> <br> Charlotte Williams was chief official, Tracey Kell was competition secretary - Leslie Vinson tabulated team points, Owen Carroll was chief of finish line, Aubrey Taylor, Anne and Rod Finlayson ran the start line, Carl Phillips was Chief of Fleet, Gene Teany provided safety support in kayak with volunteers from the LCKC recreational committee, Sonrisa Reed and Ty Hagler - LCKC members of the USACK Senior National team - announced and gave out the medals. <br> <br> Many, many Lanier volunteers worked to support the program for this very busy season.<br> <br> Fall Challenge Results<br> <br> 1st Westminster Christian Academy 181 points Bob Claussen <br> 2nd North Hall Middle School 179 points Jeff Eden and Dana Carver<br> 3rd Chestatee Middle School 175 points Dana Richardson<br> 4th South Hall Middle School 162 points Martha Crawford and Bill Covin<br> 5th Home School 153 points Wanda Blackburn, Ben Blackburn, Rose Blackburn and Erik Jacobson<br> 6th West Hall Middle School150 points Bill Sharry, Greg Bowers and Barbara Wills<br> 7th Gainesville Middle School 142 points Mollie Neufeld and Richard Hagler<br> 8th Davis Middle School 136 points Kevan Richardson and Jim O&#39;Dell