Racing through drizzle and rain, the Madison High School crew team dominated the Polar Bear Regatta on Saturday at Sandy Run on the Occoquan River, taking first place in each of their six races.

The women’s first eight was easily the fastest women’s boat on the water. With a time of 5:04.9, they were 12 seconds ahead of the second place finisher in their heat and seven seconds ahead of the first boat in the other women’s first eight heat. 

Madison’s men’s first eight took first in their heat with a time of 4:36.6, almost six seconds ahead of the second place finisher. 

The depth of Mad Crew was shown by additional first place finishes by the men’s and women’s second eights, with times of 5:01.3 and 5:54.4 respectively, the woman’s Jr. 8 (5:22.6) and the men’s third eight (5:09.6). 

All times are for a 1,500 meter course. 

The victories kicked off Madison High School's 10th season of rowing. The team is also coming off a banner season in which the Madison women’s first eight placed second at the U.S. Rowing Youth National Championship Regatta in Oak Ridge, Tenn., earning the first Youth National Medal in team history. Their other accomplishments last season include:

• First place for both the women's first eight and the second eight and a silver medal for the men's junior eight in the Virginia State Championship
• The women's and men’s novice eight won the state championship for the third year in a row.   

Madison’s next regatta is this Saturday on the Occoquan River.

Ann Driscoll contributed reporting to this article.