North Hempstead, NY – The Town of North Hempstead honored ten young athletes from Port Rowing at the Town Board meeting on October 24, 2013 for their exploits during the U.S. Rowing Club National Championships in Camden, New Jersey in July.

In what Coach Steve Panzik called “one of the largest summer regattas in the country featuring high school and college competitors from all over the country,” twin sisters Melissa and Ashley Iannucci garnered 1st place honors in the Women’s Lightweight Pair competition. The Men’s Lightweight Eight team also had an impressive finish led by team members Alex and Zach Herron, Carl Finkbeiner, Ben Schor, Nick Barry, Leo Santala, Ryan Peters, Matthew Brandes, and Will Barnes.

The Town frequently sponsors Rowing events including an annual partnership with Port Rowing each spring for the Row for Autism at North Hempstead Beach Park.


Councilman Angelo Ferrara, Councilwoman Anna Kaplan, Councilman Tom Dwyer, Town Supervisor John Riordan, Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio, Councilwoman Lee Seeman, Councilwoman Viviana Russell. Front row, from left, Port Rowing Coach Steve Panzik, Men’s Coach Darren Gary, Matthew Brandes, Zack Herron, Grant Accurso, Harrison Bergman, Alex Herron, Carl Finkbeiner, Ben Schor, Melissa and Ashley Iannucci, and Women’s Coach Briana Pittman.