March 16, 2009

CLEMSON, S.C. - The men's and women's crews have travelled to Clemson, S.C. for a week of training for the upcoming spring season. The entire program arrived in Clemson on Friday, March 13, ready for a week of long rows, technical work and racing preparation. The team will practice on the water twice a day and be able to scrimmage with crews from other northern areas, who are in Clemson training as well. After the boats were rigged and the coaching launches were set up, the crews had their first row in the rain on Friday afternoon.

It was great to be back on the water after a long winter training program on the rowing machines, and in the gym back at Marist.

On Saturday morning, the women boated one eight to participate in a race with Clemson University, the University of Alabama and the University of Pennsylvania. The format was three 1,500-meter pieces at 33 strokes per minute. Each of the other programs had enjoyed water-time prior to this event, but the Marist crew did a very nice job in competing with three nationally ranked programs.

In the first piece, Clemson and Pennsylvania got out to an early lead and built on that throughout the piece. Marist was ahead of Alabama by a good margin when a severe wake crushed its momentum. Alabama seized the opportunity and proceeded to move ahead of Marist with 20 strokes remaining.

The final result was Clemson (5:21.4), Pennsylvania (5:30.5), Alabama (5:41.5) and Marist (5:45.7).

Marist redeemed itself in the second piece by finishing ahead of Alabama, but behind Clemson and Pennsylvania.

The results were Clemson (5:25.6), Pennsylvania (5:30.7), Marist (5:51.7) and Alabama (5:54.9).

In the final piece, Clemson and Pennsylvania continued to maintain their superior speed. Marist battled with Alabama for 800 meters, but was unable to hold on and Alabama powered through for a 5.3 second victory.

Results of the final piece were Clemson (5:23.4), Pennsylvania (5:28.5), Alabama (5:47.7) and Marist (5:53.0).

All in all, it was a good showing for the Marist crew, considering it had 1.5 hours of rowing going into the competition. It also showed that with time on the water, there will be more speed to attain.

The morning of racing really set the tone for the week and reminded everyone of why they train so hard for the spring season.

While the women were rowing with Clemson, Pennsylvania and Alabama, the men had crews competing with Purdue University. Two men's crews did pieces with a Purdue crew and were able to finish with one boat ahead of Purdue and one boat behind the Purdue crew.

Although no times were taken, the benefit to the men was the same. The early competition really set the tone for the week, and the spring season.

At home, Marist trains on its own with the knowledge, but not the proof that their work is paying off. The quality of rowing and work improves as soon as another crew with a different colored uniform is sitting next to you.

The spring training trip is critical for northern schools, as the weather in the northeast often times limits the amount of quality work which can be accomplished on the water. Down here, the kids have nothing to worry about except rowing, and making their lineups come together.

By the end of the week, the crews will have rowed as many miles that they will row for the entire remainder of the spring season. Once the season starts, it goes by quickly, so it is important to figure most things out while rowing during spring break.

Next Saturday, after logging over 100 miles on the water, the women will be racing Clemson, Indiana and Purdue in the same format of three times 1,500-meters.

The men will compete against Purdue and the University of Rhode Island.