I can't say that I've had too many great training/regatta trips in my life but this was probably the best. Reason is, our crew was tight, we enjoyed each other's company, and we raced for one another. Of course this Dad Vail regatta was one of the toughest I have heard of but that didn't mean we were out of sight. During the actual tune up before the regatta in South Jersey, we started out a little frustrated which usually happens when you drive over 10 hours in a van with little space. As the days went on and the gap was closing between us and the Schuykill, we found more speed and confidence. For me it is imperative to leave that lake on a good note. The trip itself was a lot of fun. We stayed in Brigantine at an alumni's parents' house aka kid heaven! A lot to keep us occupied for sure. On the last day, we got to walk around the casinos and the AC boardwalk to get some air. Why would you let us go on a boardwalk with a 99 cents store? I don't know!
The regatta itself was nerve-wracking. We started the heats with Drexel (Dad Vail champs) knowing that only one could advance straight to the semis. The reps were classic Philly organization with the 3 fastest boats in one rep and all other no name schools having the race of their lifetime winning 10 seconds slower than us. Knowing that Bucknell and Purdue were going to go for first place, we had to go for it as it were a final. Bucknell moved through us and Purdue nipped us by 0.3 which we had done to them at SIRA. I cannot stand letting that team beat us, especially after last year! But we were heading to the semis with FIT and Grand Valley, with top two advancing to the final. Attainable? Yes. Were we ready yet, apparently not. We had a great race, but it wasn't enough. Making another B final was definitely not part of my vision and I was angry, but the B final was going to be just as tough: Temple, Purdue, and Bucknell. We were in lane 3 and this time, we had decided that enough was enough and that we needed to stop being so passive about our racing. This is how the final went.
We're sitting at the blocks, lane 3. Temple up on us (there is a turn on this course), Purdue on our left, and all the others to me were just there to fill in. I remember telling myself that we needed to hit the start well enough to stay ahead. This time we were ready at the start. Beep! Temple and us took off real well. I saw them take a few inches and I was not happy so we kept the rating high. I had never wanted to see that damn bridge so much in my life. When we did, our move was so well done that we took an entire length on Temple. I saw them struggle, I gave up hope for them. I switched my focus back to the boat making sure that the black and yellow would not come back up on us. Trust me, they tried, and we made it hell for them. I cannot find the words that represent or describe the emotions in every move we took, but it felt good. Our plan was finally working, on the last race. They pushed us, and we said no until the very last stroke. I was so content with my mates. 5 seconds on Temple (no one likes them!) and over 2 seconds on Purdue, which made it that much sweeter. I remember feeling the extremes, pain and happiness, with a touch of accomplishment. Once I came back to reality, we spoke to Drexel and found out they had won as well as FIT finishing 3rd. What a great moment! We were proud that they had won. Everyone on the course happy we had won as well.
After a long trip back to Jax, we took two days to rest, allowing me to go home, to see friends and family. I think that was much needed for me, it took a huge load off my shoulders. But it was time to come back to the boathouse and race within ourselves to see who was going to represent the dolphins in the IRA 4+. Seat racing is probably my favorite thing to do. I might not put up great numbers on the erg, but when it comes to the water I love it. Adjusting to each crew and pushing the limits, my limits, their limits. I wanted to make a statement day one and did throughout the week. So the final crew going will be David WAUGH (cox), Preston WEINARD, Scott WAITLEY, Brian COSMILLO, and I. The others (Maycee DIONEDA, Andrew STEBBINS, Chase ROWE, Jeremy SOBIECH, Shane KENNEDY, Nathan ESTERLINE) who put up a good fight and have a lot to be proud of, are staying to keep us and themselves fit and race ready. This is super exciting and nerve-pounding, but if it wasn't would we be doing it? Nah!
We will be heading to Sacramento on the 29th. Thank you to the coaches and teammates for fundraising, and especially the alumni for being such great supporters. We will make you proud!
For now, back to training. Enjoy the pictures from the last few weeks!
The regatta itself was nerve-wracking. We started the heats with Drexel (Dad Vail champs) knowing that only one could advance straight to the semis. The reps were classic Philly organization with the 3 fastest boats in one rep and all other no name schools having the race of their lifetime winning 10 seconds slower than us. Knowing that Bucknell and Purdue were going to go for first place, we had to go for it as it were a final. Bucknell moved through us and Purdue nipped us by 0.3 which we had done to them at SIRA. I cannot stand letting that team beat us, especially after last year! But we were heading to the semis with FIT and Grand Valley, with top two advancing to the final. Attainable? Yes. Were we ready yet, apparently not. We had a great race, but it wasn't enough. Making another B final was definitely not part of my vision and I was angry, but the B final was going to be just as tough: Temple, Purdue, and Bucknell. We were in lane 3 and this time, we had decided that enough was enough and that we needed to stop being so passive about our racing. This is how the final went.
We're sitting at the blocks, lane 3. Temple up on us (there is a turn on this course), Purdue on our left, and all the others to me were just there to fill in. I remember telling myself that we needed to hit the start well enough to stay ahead. This time we were ready at the start. Beep! Temple and us took off real well. I saw them take a few inches and I was not happy so we kept the rating high. I had never wanted to see that damn bridge so much in my life. When we did, our move was so well done that we took an entire length on Temple. I saw them struggle, I gave up hope for them. I switched my focus back to the boat making sure that the black and yellow would not come back up on us. Trust me, they tried, and we made it hell for them. I cannot find the words that represent or describe the emotions in every move we took, but it felt good. Our plan was finally working, on the last race. They pushed us, and we said no until the very last stroke. I was so content with my mates. 5 seconds on Temple (no one likes them!) and over 2 seconds on Purdue, which made it that much sweeter. I remember feeling the extremes, pain and happiness, with a touch of accomplishment. Once I came back to reality, we spoke to Drexel and found out they had won as well as FIT finishing 3rd. What a great moment! We were proud that they had won. Everyone on the course happy we had won as well.
After a long trip back to Jax, we took two days to rest, allowing me to go home, to see friends and family. I think that was much needed for me, it took a huge load off my shoulders. But it was time to come back to the boathouse and race within ourselves to see who was going to represent the dolphins in the IRA 4+. Seat racing is probably my favorite thing to do. I might not put up great numbers on the erg, but when it comes to the water I love it. Adjusting to each crew and pushing the limits, my limits, their limits. I wanted to make a statement day one and did throughout the week. So the final crew going will be David WAUGH (cox), Preston WEINARD, Scott WAITLEY, Brian COSMILLO, and I. The others (Maycee DIONEDA, Andrew STEBBINS, Chase ROWE, Jeremy SOBIECH, Shane KENNEDY, Nathan ESTERLINE) who put up a good fight and have a lot to be proud of, are staying to keep us and themselves fit and race ready. This is super exciting and nerve-pounding, but if it wasn't would we be doing it? Nah!
We will be heading to Sacramento on the 29th. Thank you to the coaches and teammates for fundraising, and especially the alumni for being such great supporters. We will make you proud!
For now, back to training. Enjoy the pictures from the last few weeks!
