New York State Championship Regatta

This past weekend, Marist Crew raced at the New York State Championships. Once again, our team was excited to race here because the regatta had been cancelled in 2011. We had heard that William Smith was fast this year and after our photo finish at MAACs, we were hungry for another good race. 

Our heat was the second race on Saturday morning, with fourth and sixth seeded St. Lawrence and Ithaca. We had a pretty big bobble in the middle of our power twenty that threw us off for some strokes. At the 500m, we were battling for 3^rd and 4^th with St. Lawrence and RIT but our coxswain, Zoe, was ready to put some fire into us in order to make sure we finished in the top three and qualified for finals. By 750m, we had pulled away from RIT but were still trying to shake St. Lawrence, with Ithaca in first by a decent amount. By 1500 we had about half a boat length on SLU and worked to catch up with Ithaca in our sprint. We placed 2^nd but all agreed that we knew we could race better the next day.

Because of our second place finish, we were placed in lane 4, with William Smith, Ithaca, Hamilton and St. Lawrence respectively in 1,2,3 & 6. We knew that it would be a tight race between the six crews and that we would have to have a strong race to medal.  Our coach made us look at the picture from MAACs in order to get fired up to race before we launched and we were ready to go. Our start, which is normally our weakness, was one of the best we’ve had and we were right with everyone from the beginning instead of having to come from behind. By the 500m, William Smith had a strong lead and we had moved up on St. Lawrence, Ithaca and Hamilton. We had an incredible middle move and were flying for the rest of the race. Personally, I think it was not only the best race we’ve had as a boat, but also one of the best races I’ve had in my rowing career. I was so focused and just hammered on it the entire time and after the race, my boatmates agreed that they felt the same way. 

Silver medal!

The other boats on the men’s and women’s teams also placed very well. The Men’s V8 and V4 placed second and our freshmen men won gold. Another result that is fantastic is that both of our freshmen boats made the final. Our 1F got gold and our 2F got 4^th. Obviously, the 1F winning is fantastic, but the fact that the 2F for 4^th in a tough field shows just how strong the freshmen class is and how much everyone has improved since the beginning of the year. The 2F is currently composed of all walk ons. I think this is a fantastic sign for the future of the Marist program. 

Varsity 8+ with our medals

Next weekend we will split with the men’s team as they head to Worchester, MA for ECACs and we head to Philadelphia for Dad Vails. It’s scary to realize that this is my last college race ever but I am very excited to see what the team can do.

Marist Crew at MAACs

Due to last year’s cancellation, our team was very ready to go after it at this year’s MAAC championships. We had been a strong crew last year and felt that we never got the chance to prove it. This year, with the addition of Drake and Jacksonville to the conference as well as the change in point system to NCAA rules, things were a little different than when we reaced in 2010. Previously, every boat we raced counted towards the overall points total. This year, only the 1V8, 2V8 and V4 finishes were counted towards the points total and no rowers were allowed to double up within those three events. All the other events were still held but they were considered for exhibition only (on the women’s side, the men’s side held to the same point system as always). 

The night before racing, the MAAC hosted a banquet for all the crews involved as well as the tennis teams, who also had their MAACs in Mercer County that weekend. It was awesome to see everyone on our team clean and dressed nicely, but it was also great to hear about the accomplishments of the Marist Men’s and Women’s Tennis teams. Marist Crew hauled in some pretty awesome awards, such as Men’s Coach of the Year for Sean Clarke, Women’s Varsity 8+ of the year, Men’s Varsity 8 of the year, Women’s 2V 8 of the year (for our 1F) and Men’s Varsity 4 of the Year as well as many Crew of the Week awards. On the women’s side, we also had at least 15 people named to the MAAC All-Academic team, the highest number in the conference. It was a great event (and the food was awesome). I just wish they had started the tradition earlier in my rowing career!

The next day, the races that counted for points were scheduled right after each other so we had no idea how the two boats did as we were all on the water at the same time. We locked onto our start on time, but the Jacksonville bow seat had a problem with her seat, so we waited on the stake boats for about ten minutes, swallowing our nerves and staying amped up for the race. With two unknown crews on either side of us, we were very antsy to get off the line.

I can honestly say that our V8 race was one of the most exciting races I’d ever been in. I could tell that everyone in front of me was pulling harder than they had ever pulled. We went down the course within four seats of Drake the entire time. We would take a bad stroke and they would take a couple seats. Then they would take a bad stroke and we would gain the seats back. Going into the last 400m they probably had half a boat length up on us. We hit the best sprint of our lives and took back four seats over those 400 meters, ending the race bowball to bowball. Neither crew had any idea who won. It was a perfect photo finish.

It was torture not knowing the result. We felt that we had raced to the best of our ability, we just didn’t know if it had been good enough. The Drake girls came over after we docked and we shook hands, something I thought was very gracious of them, since everyone was in the same limbo of not knowing who came out on top. We stood around, staring at each other, waiting for a result and praying that we had been first. Tom got a phone call and the minute he picked up, we could tell Drake had won the race and therefore won the championship. Although it was devastating to hear that our grade of seniors would never win a MAAC championship, we put up a great fight and had an amazing race.  Drake definitely didn’t have an easy win and if we had to lose in any fashion, I would have picked this one. I hate losing more than anyone, but I think the experience we gained as a boat was incredibly valuable.

In the exhibition events, I raced the pair and the open four. I had about an hour of rest after the eight race to eat some food, rehydrate and get my racing mentality back. Our four lineup was a little different because Tom wanted to make sure Angie, our stroke seat in the *+ and normally our three seat in the four, had completely healed from her rib injury. However, despite not rowing in our line-up ever before, we had a great race. It was in two heats, so even though we won our heat, the real winner would be based on time. We ended up winning the event overall. I raced with Angie in the pair, my favorite race, where we placed third. Unfortunately the conditions had picked up for our race and the tail wind threw up a lot of chop, not exactly fun for the pair. This, plus the fact that it was my third race of the day meant that I was in a lot of pain. Howewver, Angie is fantastic at matching up and keeping me motivated and I think we would have done much worse had she not been able to do that. We placed third and I can honestly say that I am thankful for all of those 3x2k workouts we did in winter training. 

Overall, while the result was not what we hoped for, the racing was strong and our team should be in a fantastic position for next year. 

Marist Crew Brings the Broom!

As our team geared up for the President’s Cup, our annual dual meet against Army, there was one worry in everyone’s mind: would we even be able to race? Last year, the race was cancelled due to high winds. We were hungry for a great race, but with high winds predicted again this year, we just wanted to make sure we could race at all.

Luckily the morning of the Cup was perfect. The water was flat and it was sunny, a rare sight on the Hudson in April. Every year the race alternates venues and for my senior year, it was a home race. Not only is this great because it’s awesome to race on a very familiar course but we also don’t have to load (and then un-load) all of our equipment onto the trailer, a task that is often drawn out and frustrating. 

Rowing up to the start

Despite a rocky first 300 meters, our V8 had a very solid race. Our start was frantic and rushed but once we calmed down, it felt very smooth. Our third 500, usually the weakest part of our race, was actually the best part. We crossed the finish line twelve seconds ahead of the Army V8. After our race, the Women’s 1F and 2F placed 1^st and 2^nd in their race against Army’s freshmen crew. This meant that in order to sweep the events, our V4 had to win. 

Our V4 after the race...whitecaps barely visible in the background

By the time our V4 was ready to race, the conditions completely changed. We had a strong tailwind, racing against the current, conditions that create white caps. Our race was a pretty rough in those conditions, especially because we haven’t practiced in fours since the first day of spring training, but our line-up proved to be successful, as we beat Army’s first 4+ by eleven seconds. We were happy to have gotten the race in, but the Novice 4+s were not so lucky. The conditions had worsened to the point that it would have been unsafe for them to race and their race was cancelled. Marist Crew was successful in retaining the President’s Cup for another year!

Seniors and the President's Cup

After the races, we had a ceremony presenting the Cup and honoring all the seniors. It was really nice to see the administration supporting our team in person and it was a nice event for the parents, who probably often wonder why they spend their free time freezing at the side of a riverbank waiting for a split second glimpse of their child rowing by. As always, the ceremony was a reminder that the year is flying by and it’s almost time for “the G word”.

For results, see row2k.com. For Marist’s coverage, see goredfoxes.com. Marist Crew also swept the MAAC Rowing Awards for this week, where our V8 and V4 won both awards for the women’s side. Go Red Foxes! Happy Easter everyone!

Top Ten Things to Bring on a Training Trip

1. Heating pad/The Stick

Training trips make you sore – that’s why they are called “training” trips. I’ve found that anything to alleviate soreness is useful to pack. Back stiffness is something that happens a lot on training trips and our room usually has a lineup of people to use the heating pad. The Stick is the same and probably the best $25 Christmas present I’ve ever gotten. Very useful for rolling out calves and hamstrings or – if you have a particularly nice teammate – glutes and forearms.

2. Sunglasses

This easily forgotten item (when it’s barely over 32 degrees at home) is a training trip necessity. Eyes need sun protection just like your skin does. Six hours a day on a bright sunny lake is not good for your eyes. I love Oakleys but I know a lot of people who also like Rudy Project. Just make sure they have UV protection – good sunglasses are worth shelling out the extra cash.

3. Pepto/Tums

I’ve never been on a training trip where someone hasn’t had stomach problems. The change in food and the extra workouts can magnify any minor issues. Last year it got so bad that our team – who celebrates such training trip holidays as Wacky Wednesday and TieDye Friday – dubbed one such day Poop Your Pants Thursday. Beautiful, I know. I personally carry Tums everywhere, but for those who don’t, pack some for the trip.

4. iPod (with new music)

One of the best things about a training trip is spending every minute of every day with your team, however, it can be one of the hardest things too. I like bringing my iPod because it gives me a little bubble of alone time – when the headphones are in, people usually don’t bother me. Training trips can be a tough time mentally as well as physically and listening to music helps keep me sane.

5. PreWrap

This cheap band serves two purposes: It can help warp a sore wrist or ankle, but it is also a stylish hair accessory. And by stylish, I actually mean functional. This is the only hairband that can keep my hair out of my face (I think that’s due to the fact that I have an abnormally small head). Our team usually wears red, but it comes in all different colors and patterns, like floral, leopard print, and tie dye (above) .

6. Epsom Salt

Whether you bring this or buy it en route, Epsom salt has always had a place on training trip. We’ve perfected the art of healing blisters: get the ice bucket, fill with warm water, dissolve Epsom salt in, put blistered hands in concoction and commence swearing. Epsom salt – as I’ve mentioned before – is a great way to keep blisters clean and on the right track to becoming callouses.

7. Extra Water Bottle

Of course you’re going to bring one nalgene, but are two really necessary? I think yes – hydration is vital to good performance and water bottles get lost constantly. Is it in the room? The cafeteria? On the dock? Did it get left in the boat? Did the coxswain accidentally drop it in the water? Just bring an extra and even if you don’t lose the first one, you can have one for water during practice, and one for your -ade of choice after. Or you can be nice and lend it to your pal who didn’t follow my advice.

8. Raingear

Training trips normally take place somewhere that’s always warm and sunny, right? Wrong. I thought that until it poured the first three days of our trip my freshman year. I ended up having to go to Walmart to buy pants because my only pair was constantly soaked. Fashion aside, water proof jacket and pants are good choices. Bring them.

9. Team bonding activity

Whether its Apples to Apples, a deck of cards or copious amounts of OPI nail polish, doing something the team can enjoy together is smart. There is down time on these trips and although napping and watching TV may seem like a better choice, you’ll miss out on that time that your teammate hilariously pronounced “mucus membranes” as “mu-chos mem-bra-nays”…and thought it was right. 

Getting excited during an intense game of Ninja last year!

10. Positive Mental Attitude

Training trips are hard. I wish that someone had told me that when I went on my first one – all I heard about was how much fun you have. Yes, training trips are fun, but it’s important to be prepared for a lot of work. When it’s 90 degrees out and you’re on your fourth of who knows how many five-minute seat racing pieces, it’s going to be a PMA that gets you through. Training trips put everyone through a lot of scrutiny, whether it’s through video, seat racing or just a lack of privacy. It is important to be positive about the work that you are putting in and how it’s going to help the team during the regular season. Because, really, that’s what you’re there for.

Honorable Mentions

Pillow and blanket for the bus

Good bus movies (usually easy to follow with same volume all the way through…Inception is not a good choice)

Team gear (a given)

Every pair of spandex you own

Every pair of socks you own

A scale to make sure that you’re not losing or gaining too much weight during this intense spike in training (and eating!)

And.....

....love for your teammates!