Crew Team Has a Stroke of Success

May 9, 2008

Hard at work during an early practice on the Squamscott River

With the season nearing an end, boys and girls crew are intent on leaving more of the competition in their wake. In the next few weeks, the boys and girls teams take six boats each against Andover—the defending NEIRA champions—on May 10, and St. Paul's on May 17.

Recalling the girls' early season success against Andover, Rory '08 says, "The best race so far has been our first against Andover, who are normally some of our toughest competition." She continues, "Last year we won, but by less than a quarter second. This year, my boat beat them by 13 seconds. What was really great was that all of the boats—JV through Varsity—won by at least 12 seconds. It was a happy bus ride back from Worcester!"

Varsity girls coach Sally Morris attributes much of this year's success to the team's experience and work ethic. "The first boat has several veterans in their third year in first boat, and a few more in their second year, all with a great love for crew. The girls are mature athletes, all seniors and one upper, who row with the grace that comes after rowing many miles together." She adds, "They love being pushed to the limit; but they raise their own expectations each week without needing to be asked. The fact that the top four boats are undefeated this season has added to the friendly and positive competition to earn seats throughout the girls' boats."

Tim '08, co-captain of boys crew, sees a team focus that starts at the first boat and extends down through the team. "With Ian as my co-captain, we've worked on leading the guys, pushing the guys, in our own respective ways." He adds, "The other seniors on the team have really taken on leadership roles either through their work ethic or their vocal presence. This positive example at the top of the program gives the younger guys a good model to follow. They've adopted the same ethic and joy for the team."

Allison '08, co-captain of girls crew, feels that everyone on the team needs to be pulling together. "I find my job is as a leader more of a team of six boats rather than the first varsity. One thing we think is very important is awareness of the girls in boats one through six who are supporting the program. My co-captain, Rebecca, and I work to bring the team together and to make sure everyone in the program is recognized for their hard work."

Coach Smith of boys varsity sees a challenge ahead during the race against Andover. "While we have raced them already, they have improved; and it is always difficult to race them on their home course on the Merrimac. This will be a great test for all the boys' boats." Coach Smith also values the team's eagerness to compete. "The boys' team has a great attitude; they like to work hard, and they appreciate getting coached and pushed."

Crew at Exeter is about more than rowing technique. "A number of these guys are my best friends at Exeter," says Andrew '08. Vaughan '08 says, "We get along so well that it's hard to not have fun with the team. I think the best part of our boat is no matter what happens, we always respect each other and that is something I have really enjoyed." Rory adds, "The girls on your boat really become your family. It's that sense of having 60 girls, all with the same goal and working hard together to achieve it, that really makes this team special."

Recently on May 4, this sense of family was extended to Digger Stanley and his family when a new racing shell, the Alfred J. Stanley, was christened in his honor at the Academy's Saltonstall Boathouse. Stanley served as groundskeeper and custodian from 1992 to 2006. During many of those years, Digger volunteered for hours at the boathouse, helping the boatman and coaches, and supporting the athletes. The Alfred J. Stanley is already in use by the girls third eight.

Digger Stanley, flanked by Coach Smith (l.) and Coach Moore (r.) during
christening.Two additional boats are joining the fleet this month: the E. Arthur Gilcreast and the M. Catherine Gilmartin. The E. Arthur Gilcreast is named in honor of former Exeter crew coach, Arthur Gilcreast. The M. Catherine Gilmartin was given by John McDermott in honor of his mother, M. Catherine Gilmartin, and for the program's benefit. Mr. McDermott has two daughters, who are crewing for their third year in the first boat. The E. Arthur Gilcreast is now rowed by the boys second varsity eight and the M. Catherine Gilmartin by the girls first varsity eight.

Projecting ahead to the New Englands on May 24, Coach Morris says, "The girls are hopeful that their intensely focused practices this season will maintain the advantage they have now." Considering the boys' chances, Andrew adds, "We have a good bunch of guys on the first boat who want to work hard. And we're pretty big too. In order to race our best on May 24, we recognize that the concentration and focus has to be there all the time."

Interested in learning more?

Learn about boys crew and girls crew, including the schedule for their remaining races...

Check out the Exeter crew website, http://www.exetercrew.com/...

Read about the success of girls crew last summer at the Reading Regatta…

Read about the two Exonians who rowed in Beijing last summer…