2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

ENROLLED

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2082

Commending Shay Triepel.

Agreed to by the Senate, June 29, 2026

WHEREAS, Shay Triepel, a junior at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, achieved historic and unprecedented success in the spring of 2026, winning multiple gold medals at regional, state, and national rowing competitions over the course of seven weeks; and

WHEREAS, competing in the highly demanding single scull, Shay Triepel earned gold medals at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) regional championship, the VASRA state championship, the 99th Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the Scholastic Rowing Association of America Scholastic National Championship Regatta, and the USRowing Youth National Championships; and

WHEREAS, Shay Triepel capped off her competitive season by winning the World Rowing U-19 World Championship Trials, earning a chance to represent Team USA at the World Rowing U-19 Championships in August 2026; and

WHEREAS, Shay Triepel's unparalleled work ethic, determination, and belief in her coach's process have helped her shatter barriers, proving that talent and passion can transcend even the toughest challenge; and

WHEREAS, Shay Triepel's historic accomplishments are even more extraordinary given that she trains with Coastal Virginia Community Rowing, a non-funded community program that operates with volunteer coaches, limited resources, and restricted access to water venues; and

WHEREAS, outside of her achievements as a rower, Shay Triepel excels in academics, maintaining a high grade point average with a rigorous course load of nine advanced placement classes, and has been selected as a member of the National Honor Society; and

WHEREAS, as one of the top rowing prospects in the nation, Shay Triepel was recruited by multiple state universities in the Commonwealth and other prestigious institutions around the country, including Ivy League schools; she has verbally committed to the University of Michigan on a full athletic scholarship; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Shay Triepel hereby be commended for her exceptional achievements in competitive rowing in the spring of 2026; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Shay Triepel as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for her incredible talent, resilience, and passion for rowing.