Tigers’ Senior 2x Races to 8th in the Nation at Scholastic Nationals
by: Rowing Contributor
North Allegheny Rowing’s Girls Senior 2x, made up of Katherine Zema and Madison Lambert, capped off the s
eason with a strong showing at the 2025 Scholastic Nationals in Pennsauken, NJ. Scholastic Nationals, one of the premier events in high school rowing, brings together the fastest crews from across the United States. For the Tigers, this was a culmination of months of hard work and preparation, as they earned a bid to race among the nation’s best.
The Tigers came into the regatta seeded ninth overall in the Girls Senior 2x category, lining up in Lane 2 of Heat 2. It was a highly competitive heat, and North Allegheny quickly showed that they belonged in the mix. Right from the start, Zema and Lambert made a strong push, staying bow ball to bow ball with two other crews in the early stages of the race. Their powerful start put them in a solid position as they entered the first 500 meters, with North Allegheny maintaining a top-two position.
By the halfway mark, around 750 meters into the race, a challenge emerged from an opposing crew, which made a strategic move to push ahead. Despite the Tigers’ best efforts to hold their ground, the other crew gained momentum, eventually overtaking North Allegheny. From that point on, the Tigers were unable to recover the lost ground, but they continued to fight hard through the final stretch of the race.
In the end, Zema and Lambert crossed the line in third place, just shy of qualifying for the Grand Final. The top two finishers in each heat advanced, and unfortunately, the Tigers’ result placed them one spot short of making the cut. Nonetheless, their time was still fast enough to earn them an eighth-place finish in the nation for the Girls Senior 2x event, one place higher than they were originally seeded. The crew’s impressive performance proved that they could compete with the best of the best.
This race also marked the conclusion of Zema and Lambert’s careers with North Allegheny Rowing, as both athletes will be continuing their rowing journeys at the D1 collegiate level with Duquesne University. Zema and Lambert have been instrumental in the team’s success over the years, not only as key contributors in the boat but also as leaders on and off the water. They both will be dearly missed next season.
While the race may have ended earlier than they hoped, the North Allegheny Rowing program can be proud of the effort and dedication displayed by Zema, Lambert, and the entire crew. For the Tigers, it’s not just about the result of one race, but the growth and development they have experienced throughout the season. As the program looks to next year, there’s a strong foundation in place for the younger athletes to build upon, with the example set by Zema and Lambert showing them the level of commitment and leadership required to succeed.
As the Tigers close out another season of rowing, the program will continue to strive for excellence, and there’s no doubt that we’ll see more exciting performances from North Allegheny Rowing in the years to come.
