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?