The Port Macquarie duo will compete in their second NSW Rowing Championships event with an eye on possible national title selections later in the year.

Stennett will take to the water in the championship women’s under-19 double scull and single scull divisions with no expectations.

“I’d love to get into the final, that’s as high as my goals are set, but I’d like to come out of the race and say I tried my hardest,” the 17-year-old said.

The Regional College student said she knew the state championships were “much harder than I thought they were” after her experience 12 months ago.

“My first one was last year and I learned it’s a very big thing because it’s very different to any club regatta,” she said.

“You’re racing against all the top girls from around NSW and I just need to train as hard as I can, get there and go as hard as I can for eight minutes or so.

“If I go well at state I might have a go at nationals (later in the year).”

Stennett first took up rowing six years ago when her mother encouraged her to “give it a go” and she hasn’t looked back.

“I started because my mum found out about it so I went down one Saturday morning and that’s where it all began,” she said.

Catania has representative experience having rowed at the national titles last year and this weekend’s event will also be his second state title appearance.

“I think going to the nationals last year should help me at state,” he said.

“Nationals was an eye-opening experience because there were crews from all around the world there and it was very interesting to see how they competed.”

The 17-year-old admitted he was still learning the best rowing techniques.

“I’ve gained a lot of experience on how to race properly from the state titles last year,” he said.

“I’ve also learned a lot about my technique, how to plan out a race and what to do to go as good as possible.”

He will compete in the championship men’s under-19 coxed four, schoolboy single scull and men’s under-19 single scull divisions.

“I would like to get a medal; that’s a goal,” the St Columba Anglican School student said.

“I’ve medalled at state sprints but not at the state championships.”

The state championships start on Friday and conclude on Sunday.

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