Indianapolis Rowing Center

We would like to give a HUGE shoutout to Coach Marr, Liz Butts, and our amazing community of volunteers. The weather tomorrow is not good and a decision was made late in the day to pivot and run B1G Championship races tonight and Sunday. This means, Coach Marr basically re-planned an entire regatta, that we’ve been prepping for month for, in one hour in order to get racing in and Champions crowned this weekend. We could not do this without our amazing staff, our team of volunteer, our B1G Ten guests (coaches, officials, rowers, fans), and our amazing volunteer coordinator, Liz Butts who are all making this happen and being super flexible. There’s still time to volunteer if you can make it to Eagle Creek tonight or Sunday. Go Team IRC! #windyindy #flexibility #teamwork #bigten #gowiththeflow @bigten @bigten @eaglecreekpark_indy @eagle_creek_park_foundation

Tomorrow we head to Midwest Junior Championships. We’ve putting the work and we are ready! This team has grown a lot this year and we wish them the best of luck as they compete this weekend. Let’s go, IRC Juniors! See line-ups and schedule in this post, and be sure to follow along here for results: /results/#/races/21450/schedule

One last post for the Class of 2026 as we head into our Midwest Championships Weekend. Some of our seniors are missing graduation this weekend to compete. They all will be graduating in the coming weeks and moving on to the next adventure. Seniors, whether you’ve been on this team for 6 years or just a year, the lasting impact your class will have on this team is invaluable. You’ve given so much of yourselves and created a legacy that will live on. We are so proud of all of you and thankful for all the time and talents you’ve given to IRC. As you leave these docks and move on to bigger and better things, we hope you always carry with you the lessons you learned and the friendships you made here. Congratulations, Grads!!

Rowing changes lives, and scholarships ensure that financial need is never a barrier to being a part of the Indianapolis Rowing Center. “Rowing impacts my life by being not just a sport but a sense of community, the people I row with are like my family, and we all support and help each other so deeply, I think it’s amazing!” -Lulu Khairi (Junior Rower, class of 2027). “I began rowing to connect to my teenager. I’ve continued rowing because I love being on the water, the IRC community is great, and being a part of the competitive team is helping me take great care of myself. Winning medals and having competition has been an added bonus!” - Kristi Thomas (Masters Rower and Rowing Parent) Ask a Junior who comes home exhausted but elated after a regatta, a Masters rower who loves the camaraderie and challenge of pursuing speed at any age, or any rower who has gained fitness and found joy on Eagle Creek. You’ll get a sense of why IRC’s mission matters: We provide access to rowing for youth and adults that encourages physical fitness, personal growth, teamwork and a strong sense of community. Scholarships provide access for all The Indianapolis Rowing Center provides scholarships for those with demonstrated financial need to 100% of youth and adult rowers who request it. In 2025, IRC provided $10,485 of financial assistance to rowers who met the eligibility criteria. In 2026, our goal is to raise $20,000 to expand our support to include assistance with participation in regattas as well as coached programs. Your gift makes a difference Your gift to the 2026 IRC scholarship campaign will make sure people continue to benefit from all that rowing offers. Ways to give: ● Donate online (at /donate or the QR code below) ● Mail a check to the Indianapolis Rowing Center 7840 W. 56 St., Indianapolis, IN 46254. ● Make a gift from a donor advised charitable giving fund (Tax ID: 35-1760690)

Our *Final Senior Spotlight is @shortgirlrowing and is proof that the best things come in the smallest packages! Mary Bain has spent 6 years on this team with us and has proven herself time and again. A three time winner of the yearly Team Spirit award, this gal has spunk, humility, and a deep love for all things rowing and IRC. It has been a true joy watching her find “her people” here and seeing her thrive. Our boathouse will not be the same without you, @maryhanwei . We are so glad you are a part of the IRC family. Good Luck at @catholicu_wrow next year! *we did have three Seniors who opted not to participate in our Senior Spotlight Series.They are loved and valued just as much as our entire class of 2026. They know who they are and we are so so grateful that both of you choose IRC each day and wish you good luck next year!

Simon Lybolt-Wagner is today’s Senior Spotlight.@simonlybolt_rowing has been on the team for 5 years and has never wavered in his dedication, hard work, determination, and positively representing IRC. Simon is a tremendous friend and always Carrie’s himself with honor and dignity. He often puts the team’s need before his own and can be found mentors and hyping up our newer and younger rowers. He is a great role model and a great human! Simon, it’s been a pleasure seeing you grow up here. We hope you always believe in yourself and always know how important you are to the IRC family. Good Luck!

We are excited to feature today’s Senior Spotlight. @paul_kiser07 comes from a rowing family and has carried on the legacy. Following in his Sister’s footsteps as an IRC rower, Paul has brought a quiet leadership presence to our boathouse. Paul is committed to being his best and always doing good. We’ve watched him grow from timid to confident and he carries a presence of calm and stability that is necessary for his crew. Paul is funny and dependable too. It’s been fun to watch him meet his best of friends here and see them all grow in skill and in life here. We cannot wait to watch his growth at @cusemrowing and will be cheering for him, always! Congratulations, Paul!

It’s time for another Senior Spotlight Series post and today we are featuring none other than Nina Welsh. @hininawelsh has been on our team for two years but it feels like we’ve known her a lifetime! Nina’s exuberant personality and sunshine-like smile make her unforgettable. Nina’s dedication to her team and supportive nature makes her an outstanding teammate. We know she will go far and succeed in anything she takes on! Good luck, Nina! We are super thankful to have you as part of the IRC family.

It’s time for a Polly post! Today’s Senior Spotlight is @_pollythompson After 3 years on the team, Poly has more than proven the smallest humans can have the biggest impact. Polly uses her leadership skills as she coxes our boats down the course. She is a great teammate, mentor, and friend. We are lucky to have Polly on our team and cannot wait to see what the future holds for her! Polly, thank you for your dedication to this team and for always bringing joy to the boathouse! We love your bows, dancing, and smile and are thankful you are part of the IRC family. Good luck!

This week our Middle School Team wrapped up their Spring Season. They had a celebration with games and food and had the most fun. Unfortunately, their race on Sunday was cancelled due to wind, but they handled it with grace. These middle schoolers and coaches worked hard all season and we are so excited about the future of our youth programming! Thanks for a great season, Middle School team and coaches! We can’t wait to see you on the water this summer!

Lauren Raines is up next in our Senior Spotlight Series. @laurenraines.rows has been on the team for 2 years and has made a big impact in a short time. Lauren left her lifelong sport and worked hard to learn the skill of rowing and advance to the top boats at IRC. Lauren’s dedication and hard work make us proud! We are so honored to have Lauren as part of our family and cannot wait to see all she accomplished at @wiscolights Good Luck, Lauren!

On this Cinco de Mayo we are fearing a Senior who is definitley the life of the party! @kohen_patton2008 joined us 2 years ago and has made some amazing gains. The lessons he’s learned off the water have been just as valuable as the ones he’s learned in the boat. It’s been a joy to watch him grow into a great leader. Kohen is strong, fast, funny, and kind and brings a good energy to the team. We are so thankful you joined this family, Kohen, and cannot wait to cheer for you at @hurstrowing next year!