Our First Week Back

People sometimes start a conversation with "I have good news and bad news"and this week I have the same thing to say, but in a different order. Unlike the rest of the schools around us, JU started back on Wednesday instead of Monday, which help all of us take our time to settle in and get ready for the new semester to start, and of course practice at the Neegard Rowing Center.

To begin the winter training at the boathouse, we started with a 30 min ergo test. We have done this a few time over the period of this year to see where each rower is in his fitness and power so that they know what to work on. It definitely works and doesn't hide who hasn't done the work over break. But nothing always goes as planned. I usually try not to use excuses because they are demeaning and worthless but this time I believe it is valid. My choice of playing ultimate the day before made my body the sorest it has ever felt, to the point where erging the next few days was torture. Yes, my result was extremely disappointing as I wanted to show how much time and effort I have included into my winter break. No one was happy, especially the coaches, but I had something to prove this week.

As the week went on, I tried my best to make every practice as good as possible as my redemption was soaring quickly towards us. Saturday finally came; it is funny because I never usually look forward to a test, but with nothing else to lose, I couldn't wait any longer. Knowing a few days before that a second 6k was added to the practice for volume did not bother me one bit because I think of one piece at a time, which was my plan for my 6k ergo test: 2k-2k-2k. With a plan engraved in mind and a race preview on my run to practice, I was totally ready. Starting with an easy 1:49 to see where I stood. Entering the middle 2k, I dropped to 1:48. Finishing the last 2k, I started with 1:47 but couldn't keep a steady hand on it. My sprint was so late that I almost wasn't able to beat my last time. With a 1:47.9, I PRed this season after a break. I am pretty content but now it's time to get into the hard hard work.

Head of the Charles

After not getting a bid last year in the collegiate men's 8+, JU sent in a new bid for this year's 47th regatta. As we had hoped for, we finally got the bid, but was later told that we were to move up to the championship men's 8+ since we had raced in the Copley Cup in San Diego. With a lot of strong and experienced guys gone, this year's team is a little young. Hard decision for our coach so he decided not to go to save money and time because of the attendance of the top collegiate and international crews. Of course I was pretty deceived when I heard the news because it was going to be a good step forward for us and I was looking forward to be in Boston again.

Even though we aren't going, our neighbors are. FIT is sending two men's 8+'s, last year's V8 in the Championship event, and their new second V8 in the collegiate event. Their new addition, Jessica MELLINGER will be coxing the V8 who will be leaving last I believe in their event.

Good luck to both boats!

Ups and Downs as the season is about to start

First I am super excited to start up my sophomore year because summer was long and eventless. For the ups, the new coach who will be replacing Ed OXLADE is Montia RICE who used to be UF's head coach. He sounds like he knows what he is doing and by the looks of what he did last year with his boat, I trust his knowledge. Now for the downs, it's never easy to say goodbye, but it's something we all have to do once in a while. Obviously, OXLADE is leaving the program for family problems, Jake RUFFOLO is staying home for personal and monetary problems, Brad MILLER is also staying home for monetary problems, and for me my biggest loss, not only my favorite coxswain but one of my best friends, Jessica MELLINGER is transferring to FIT. It's extremely hard to watch things crumble so close to school starting but I know that we all have a plan written for us and JU's has just commenced. Good luck to everyone leaving, I wish you the best. For all the new people including the incoming class, I wish you luck and strength as this is going to be a loooong year.

Let us kick some ass, shall we?