By Morgan Kogan, Staff Writer

The sailing team continues to expand and improve throughout the fall season, participating in many races and regattas against other top-notch crews, and co-captains senior Julia LaForgia and junior Lauren Ehnot have the team to many impressive finishes.

At the weekly Wednesday races at the Toms River Yacht Club, the team regularly finishes in the top five. At the Ocean County College Invitational, a larger regatta, the team placed fourth, an even bigger accomplishment for such a new team. Most notably, the sailors finished in fifth place at the NJISA Fall Fleet Championship in September, qualifying them for the MASSA Gold/National Qualifier.

(From Left to Right) Julia L. and Hope M. prepare to set sail at the NJISA Qualifier Regatta on Sep. 29. (Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Jamer)

As one of the founding members of the sailing team, LaForgia takes pride in the crew’s many achievements both this season and since the team’s beginning. “It took a while to start making a name for ourselves, but now we’re finally qualifying for Gold, making it to regionals, and we hope one day to make it to nationals,” LaForgia said.

Both LaForgia and Ehnot also sail individually, outside of Trinity Hall. Ehnot participated in the Cressy Singlehanded Qualifier in September and became the top female finisher in her division.

Faculty advisor Jennifer Jamer enjoys watching the sailors, beginner and advanced, improve their skills and climb the rankings at each regatta. “We’re one of the smaller teams in the area, so for us to consistently make it into the top five is always impressive,” Jamer said.

The sailors still have many important regattas left this season, such as the MASSA Gold/National Qualifier on October 20 and 21, the Turkey Bowl on November 10 and the ongoing Wednesday Series races.

The future is bright for Trinity Hall sailing. The roster is increasing, interest is growing and results are becoming even more impressive. “I can tell this season and next season are going to be two great seasons. We are getting three new freshmen this spring, so that’s going to be great. I see a bigger team and even better results,” Ehnot said.