HISTORY OF BOAT NAMES
Rowing is nothing if not full of tradition, and that tradition extends to the names of the boats we row. We give our boats names to distinguish them in our fleet, imbuing them with the power of a phrase, the support of our community, or memory of our loved ones. We choose names for our boats through a number of factors, in some cases we name boats as gratitude for a generous donation to the team. In other cases, the Coaches and Board will name a boat after a member of our community that has played an important role in our team. Some of our boats are also named for special stories connected to the team, small phrases that remind us that Mile High is our own legacy to carry and represent.
Kendall Chase
Type of shell: 2022 Vespoli eight
The Kendall Chase is named to honor Mile High Rowing’s first US Senior National Team member and Olympian. Kendall rowed with MHRC from 2010-2012, where she competed at the US Rowing Youth National Championships in 2011 (Women’s Youth Pair, 3rd place) and 2012 (Women’s Youth Pair 1st place; Women’s Youth Four with Coxswain, 6th place). Kendall went on to row with the University of California, Berkley and was named the 2015 Pac-12 Athlete of the Year as well as a 2015 Sportswomen of Colorado award recipient. Individually, Kendall has been part of the 2011-12 Junior National Team, 2014-16 U23 National Team, 2017 Senior National Team, and 2020 Olympic National Team.
Kendall is a constant inspiration for our athletes, proving that talent and determination can take a rower from a land-locked state to the highest level of competition they want to reach for. In the spring of 2025 when we purchased an eight for the team, naming it in honor of Kendall and her legacy was an easy choice.
Velma of Calle
Type of shell: 2015 Wintech coxed four
Velma of Calle is named to commemorate our graduating class of 2026. The name “Velma of Calle” is an anagram of the first letter of their first name and was put together by the team. This boat is a prime example of the MHRC spirit and reminds our athletes that they will always be a part of our community.
Coach Anne Strobridge
Type of shell: 2022 Vespoli straight quad
The Coach Anne Strobridge is named to commemorate the dedication of one of our beloved Mile High coaches. Anne Strobridge is a retired high school English teacher who also coached with Mile High. Her love for rowing and enthusiasm for teaching young people made her an invaluable member of our coaching staff until her retirement from coaching in 2023.
Anne loved working with new athletes and helping them reach those “ah-ha!” moments both on and off the water. She is a firm believer in teamwork and togetherness - so in the spring of 2024 when Mile High purchased a new quad, Anne was the first on everyone’s mind to name it after. quads are boats that require communication, flexibility, and teamwork. All things Anne sought to instill in the athletes she coached.
Along with her years of coaching, countless hours spent on the road with the trailer, and innumerable clever jokes, Anne also donated her cox box, single, a pair of sculling oars, and Concept2 erg to Mile High. Our hearts will always be filled with the love Anne has poured into our team and the athletes her thoughtful coaching and donated equipment will continue to impact for years to come.
Coach Grace Malacrida
Type of shell: 2021 Vespoli straight quad
The Coach Grace Malacrida is named in honor of the dedication of of our fearless founder. Grace Malacrida is an active and enthusiastic rower, coach, and supporter of the sport. Grace founded MHRC in 2009, and served as the team’s Head Coach through the fall of 2023 when she took on the position as the team’s Director of Rowing. The ways in which Grace has supported MHRC are innumerable.
In addition to promoting MHRC on our home waters, Grace works to help our athletes connect with the sport through coaching at the US Rowing Pathways Development Camps and using her network of coaching connections to help our athletes find collegiate rowing programs that are a good fit for them. Grace has coached several athletes who have continued onto the US Rowing U19, U23, and Senior National Teams.
Grace takes her own passion for competition and rowing and finds ways to help our athletes connect with their own competitive spirit. In the spring of 2025 when Mile High purchased a quad for the team, we chose to name is in honor of Coach Grace.
Lemon Pie
Type of shell: Vespoli straight quad/four
“Lemon pie” is a phrase near and dear to all members of the Mile High community, past and present. If you know, you know.