Torchiana's future is bright in rowing

Grace Torchiana has a work ethic greater than most. Who else would spend a month of their summer vacation in a faraway state learning skills, drills, and techniques from the best only to better themselves? Her motto is grit makes greatness. "I came up with it when I was reflecting on all of the immense work I've put into my last two years of rowing," said Torchiana, a senior-to-be at Oak Ridge High with several Division I college offers for rowing on the table. "I realized that I couldn't have done it without staying gritty, or always wanting more and not giving up when I saw failure. I like it because it holds me accountable, and reminds me that I'm in control of my own results." For the past two years, Torchiana has been selected to train with US Rowing Olympic Development Program. She's one of 44 under-19 women selected by US Rowing to train this summer. Selection Development Camp began June 18th at the University of Dayton in Ohio. Selection Development Camp is the bridge phase between development and U19 National Team Selection Camp. It serves to identify and invest in rowing's top young athletes and support US Rowing's future national teams. The camp pairs skill work with performance-based training and racing to enhance the age-appropriate development of rowers and coxswains. The program involves three weeks of training, with significant focus paid to long term athlete development and instilling the skills necessary for future success in the U19 and U23 system. "So basically as you work through the camp the faster and better you grow with the goal being making the Jr. National team and the Olympics," Torchiana said. "It's a high-performance camp. I loved it. It was a great experience. I like the Olympic Development Program last year and I enjoyed the Selection Development Camp this year. I learned a lot and improved. I'm excited to bring what I learned back to Capital Crew." The final week is testing all of the hard work at the US Rowing Summer Youth National Championship. Torchiana qualified and competed in four events: U19 Youth Women's 8+, U19 Youth Women's 4+, U23 Women's 2, and the Women's Open 8+. Torchiana and her teammates made the finals in all four events; winning the Gold medal in the women's open 8+ with a time of 6:29.61, taking third in the U19 Youth Women's + in 6:50.46, fourth in the U23 Women's 2- in 7:58.45 and sixth in the U19 Youth Women's 4+ in 7:45.76. "I never thought that I would be able to call myself a National Champion, but while reflecting on all of the work I have put in over the past two years, I think it is safe to say that it was well deserved for both me and my teammates at camp," Torchiana said. "The experience I shared with the 90 other rowers at US Rowing U19 Selection Development Camp was incredible. The bonds created out on the water, in the weight room, the erg room, and the dorms are bonds I never want to let go of. I'm so grateful I was given the opportunity to train with some of the best coaches and strongest athletes I've ever met. I am beyond blessed. " This is Torchiana's second year of ODP selection and participation. In 2022, she was selected and attended Youth Development Camp held at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, FL. Torchiana trained successfully under several coaches, including Weston Cole of UCLA/Newport Athletic Club and distinguished herself in the ODP Cup, winning gold in 4-of-4 races where she was boated and stroked the 8+ and the 4+ in both the U17 age group and Open categories. Torchiana is a varsity rower for Capital Crew Youth Rowing in Gold River. Capital Crew is a very successful non-profit competitive youth rowing organization of the Sacramento State Aquatic Center that has been in existence since 1989. It is based out of the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma. Capital Crew draws on high school age athletes from area schools to roster the team. Capital Crew begins training for Fall '23 season, August 21. In addition to youth rowing, Torchiana is an Italian Honors student, a member of ORHS chapter of the National Honor Society, a five-year member and former Merci Award winner with National Charity League, El Dorado Hills Chapter, and a sports photographer since 2021 with ORHS Trojan Pride Sports Marketing (TPSM.). After camp concludes, Torchiana is looking forward to her senior year at Oak Ridge and ultimately pursuing her athletic and academic goals with a NCAA Division I university.