GoPro

Here is some video from the last few outings 

This is mainly for Monique so the whole thing is pretty boring, enjoy!

Update

Since I've been home, I have been somewhat bored and feeling out of line because I have no set schedule. Even though getting up at 5:25 every morning isn't ideal, it still sets my day up pretty well, and since that's all we ever do, I can't stand just waking up at 10:03 to do nothing.

But my afternoons have been set because of the high school's practices. Even though I know I should be doing long moderate pieces at low rates, I've been trying to motivate the fours and the single for their national regatta this weekend. Today was their last practice in Florida as their shells will be leaving tomorrow for a long drive up to Camden, New Jersey. But what to do now? Left alone with no one to practice for the rest of the week! For now, I'll be going out earlier to get away from the grueling sun so I can enjoy the water time. On Tuesday, I will be heading down to Ft. Lauderdale for three days to see if the double is part of my near future. If it is, I believe I will be doing that trip a few more times before trials. Right now though, I'll be focusing on myself.

To add a little spice to my plans, the last Olympic qualification regatta has been happening and I've been following closely as some of my friends and acquaintances have been racing to acquire the final spots for the Olympic Games. Even though some didn't make it, they will be attending U23's and I dearly hope to see them there. This weekend will be the Samsung World Cup II and most of the top crews will be there so my weekend will be on lock down for that.

Good luck Melbourne High school, and get that gold!

Moving On

So that was different. This past season was very very strange to me, but something I can build off of for the ones to come. I will admit that I am pretty disappointed with our final result as a boat and a team. On the other hand, I am super excited about the depth of next year's program and the mindset. I'm sure things will be different and I know that I will make sure to bring some leadership to this young group.

Dad Vails seemed different this year for some reason, sort of small and empty compared to last year, but still fast. The heats were not hard and the minds were calm, but semis were completely different. Surprises like Grand Valley not moving on and us getting beat out of the final by 0.2 seconds were not fun to think about. I think as a boat we weren't ready for a B final, so when the time came, mentally and physically, we weren't there. I don't doubt at all that no one tried though. All of this felt like an abrupt stop in the road.

Now that I'm back in Melbourne, I can focus on the summer. Coming off a long trip and tough racing, I've had to take some days off, I am back in the single. It's fun because my high school team who is training for nationals help me out mentally by still training and showing up for practice. And they moved to a better body of water which is perfect for rowing. The plan is, slowly getting back into the small boat feel and rhythm, and recuperating actively so that I can be prepared for the next month for trails. If  things go as planned, I will be going to U23 trials to race the double and hopefully win; ideal but difficult.

MAAC All-Academic Honors

MAAC All-Academic Honors

A bunch of us made the all-academic team for this past season. Good job bros!

On our way to go watch all the seniors graduate!

Finals Part Two

I think I didn't give enough credit to the smaller boats from this weekend so here we go.

-V4+: Myself, Matt OUTLAW, Chase ROWE, Andy DAVIS, and Ben HAYES

We have been rowing this same line up more than once, and even if practice hasn't been quality to my eyes, on race day it came all together. Racing the four is always a little tougher because it is after the 8, but with a strong race plan and call by Ben, and vicious but relaxed mindset by the rowers, we fought Loyola for the first 750m until Marist took up the challenge. The entire race was stroke for stroke, they attacked and we responded. When 500m to go was in my line of vision, as a boat we committed and increased the gap.





-JV4+: Preston WEINARD, Jared LOW, Chris OTTIE, Jesse BRANTMAN, and Tom RICHARDS

I wasn't able to see much, but when they crossed the 500m to go line, they had such a gaping advantage I wasn't worried at all. The length from stroke to bow was solid, and the power was definitely there with the assistance of a relaxed recovery. Open water finish was their headline.

-Frosh4+: Jeremy SOBIECH, Jacob STRAUSS, Tim EASTERLING, Matt THOMAS, and David "Djabar" WAUGH

I'm always amazed by this little group of guys because they all have somewhat of a different background but they make that disappear when they perform together. A few weeks ago, their skeg broke and weren't able to win FIRA's,  but redemption was what they were looking for this weekend. And holy crap they showed their speed; right off the line they led and kept a strong rhythm to win by so much open water t seems stupid to race. From what I heard, Waugh kept them on the race plan to gain more and more speed. Good job boys!

-V2-: Troy TROUPE and Jesse BRANTMAN

What a cool final race to watch on the men's side. With a will to finish the season right, both of them fought through the whole race for second place and were just nipped on the sprint. They made sure they brought home as many points as possible as they could, and they did. Good job on the third place!