The Humboldt Bay Rowing Association girls quadruple sculls squad advanced to the semifinals of the United States Rowing Youth National Championships in Batavia, Ohio, with a victory in the preliminary heat Friday.

The HBRA girls team, which consists of Elizabeth Pierson, Jean Sack, Lissa Daugherty and Shenae Bishop, led for the entire heat before finishing with a time of 7 minutes and 29 seconds to defeat second-place Cincinnati’s Austinburg Boat Club by 3 seconds

HBRA head coach Adrienne McConnell said that while her rowers were happy with their performance, the heavy lifting has only just begun.

“We were totally overjoyed to make it through that first gate while getting our first national experience out of the way,” McConnell said. “But now that mission one is accomplished, we want to go to the grand finals.”

The championships continue today with two semifinals heats. Out of the 12 total boats that will compete, only six will advance to the grand finals on Sunday.

And to be one of those six boats, McConnell thinks her athletes need to remain confident despite their youth.

“We’re the youngest team out there,” McConnell said. “But we have to believe it’s possible and that we can be one of the top six crews.”

Brainerd and Mullins win at Redwood Empire

Rosalinda Brainerd and Joyce Mullins won the Women’s Golf Association of Northwestern California at Redwood Empire with a low gross of 86 on Tuesday.

Jewell Boyd took the low net with a score of 70, while Kathy Salizzoni won the Accuracy Drive along with Ora Swithenbank.

Closest to the pin honors went to Catherine DeBoer and Wincel Nicholas.

The team low net winner was the Redwood team which included Nickolas, Doris Nolan, Jean Satterlee and Salizonni.