Pioneering Waters: St. Margaret’s School Launches New Sculling Academy

(Tappahannock, Va.)—St. Margaret’s School, a century-old boarding and day school for girls in Grades 8-12, is thrilled to announce the launch of a Sculling and Rowing Academy led by renowned crew coach Troy Howell. The program, situated along the historic Rappahannock River, offers a unique and effective approach that prioritizes individual skill development and teamwork, with three seasons of outdoor practice opportunities and dual enrollment into St. Margaret’s college preparatory academic program.

Unlike traditional rowing programs, St. Margaret’s Sculling & Rowing Academy focuses on building a strong foundation by starting with singles and pairs. This approach ensures that rowers are proficient in small boats before progressing to larger ones, leading to faster and more competent teams. Coach Howell’s philosophy, inspired by his decades of experience, emphasizes the importance of mastering individual skills, much like a musician must learn to play an instrument before joining an orchestra.

“Our goal is to create a rowing program that fosters excellence in every aspect of the sport,” said Coach Howell. “By focusing first on sculling and individual skill development and teamwork, we are confident that our rowers will develop into resilient and disciplined student-athletes.”

Howell is well-known in the crew world. Coaching scullers and rowers at The Episcopal School of Dallas where he led his teams to multiple medals and championships at the U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals and the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. Later, as Sculling Director at Craftsbury, Coach Howell also took on the role of assistant coach to athletes of the Craftsbury Green Racing Project, collaborating with head coaches such as Larry Gluckman, Dan Roock, and Steve Whelpley. His coaching journey included guiding scullers at the 2015 U23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, the 2019 Pan-African Olympic Qualifying Regatta in Tunisia, and the 2021 Henley Royal Regatta.

"St. Margaret's Sculling Academy offers a transformative experience for student-athletes seeking to excel in academics and rowing," said Head of School Colley Bell. "Our incredible year-round access to the river is only steps from their classrooms and dorms. The experienced coaching staff and the S.T.R.E.A.M. curriculum within a supportive community provide the ideal environment for personal, academic, and athletic growth."

The program’s location by the river provides an ideal setting for students to develop their rowing skills and connect with the sport's rich history. St. Margaret’s School invites prospective rowers to join its program and experience the transformative power of sculling and rowing.

Learn more and inquire today at www.sms.org/crew or email St. Margaret’s Admissions Team admit@sms.org.

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Situated on the beautiful Rappahannock River in Tappahannock, VA, St. Margaret’s School is an Episcopal all-girls boarding and day school for grades 8-12, and postgraduate.