The first place Charter School rowers who took part in the "Icebreaker" on November 17. Back row, from left: Lucy Thompson, Otto Osmers; Front row, from left: Owen Engler, August Engler, Noah Buehler, Chloe Loftfield, and coach Wendy Gray. — Photo by Chris Buehler

Six rowers from the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School finished first in their division in the Northeast Regional Open-Water Youth Rowing Championship Race November 17 at Windmill Point Boathouse in Hull.

Lucy Thompson, Otto Osmers, Owen Engler, August Engler, Noah Buehler, and Chloe Loftfield raced in the event, known as the “Icebreaker,” which attracts 250 of the region’s best middle school and high school rowers. The Charter rowers, coached by Wendy Gray, are all middle school age and posted faster times than many high school teams.

Teams raced throughout the day in round-robin heats, culminating in a one-nautical-mile race across the bay for the “Key to the Harbor.”