On Saturday, January 31, 2009, Taira Sullivan competed in the MidAtlantic Erg Sprints, hosted by T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria VA. This event is the premier indoor rowing championship in the National Capital Area. Sullivan trained on ergs (short for ergometers, or rowing machines) as part of her winter training with Freedom Rowers. The MidAtlantic Sprints consists of races for youth and adult rowers. More than 1,200 entrants participated this year. Sullivan came in first in her heat, pulling out of second place about halfway through the race, and maintaining a first place by one second. Her time of 6.03.1 minutes in the 1500m race was a personal best by more than eleven seconds, ranking her 12th out of 59 in her age class. Sullivan, age 15, is attends Kent Island High School.

Freedom Rowers is a community-based organization offering competitive and recreational rowing for youth and adult athletes at any level, including beginners. Support from the community in the form of volunteers, sponsors, or experienced coaches is welcomed. The Spring season began March 7 and runs until mid-May, including a series of regattas along the East Coast locations. For more information about the program, visit www.freedomrowers.org or phone 410.829.1691