Absegami Crew Team Seeing Success in 2011

In the last weeks of winter training, the Absegami High School crew program was looking at a nearly empty Lake Lenape and the possibility of being up to two weeks behind on the water. Damn work at the lake brought the water level down and with it the fear that we would fall behind.

Fortunately, conditions did not keep us on land for long, and work done throughout the spring has paid off for many of our boats. Looking ahead to the remainder of the races to nationals, we have gained confidence with a strong record in many categories.

In our women’s program the second eight has led the field by open water at multiple venues. They have many rowers returning from a junior eight that won Absegami’s first ever Stotesbury medal, and they continue to show the same ability to out-row the best competition this area has to offer.

Our varsity eight has also made great strides breaking into the upper tier of the fastest boats on the water. They rowed to many top finishes in competitive heats and show still more potential for speed as the season continues.

The junior varsity eight is comprised of many rowers from last year’s freshman eight that placed fourth at nationals. Their experience together last year has helped to create a strong boat this year.

The freshman eight has turned into a very exciting boat to watch. This category is usually very competitive, and they have proven that they can row well with the fastest boats winning many races this year. Rounding out our fleet is the novice four.

Downsized from an eight they have pulled together to form a crew that can adapt to lineup changes can be very challenging. They have placed well in their races and have shown a great amount of potential. Being the coach of this novice four, I had the experience of watching them exceed my admittedly very high expectations.

On the boys’ side, the varsity and junior eights have both progressed well through the season through lineup changes and persistent work ethic as coaches push the group to some of their best form since the beginning of the program.

Both boats have seen success on the Schuylkill, Lake Lenape, and, most recently, the Cooper River. Strong freshmen eights the previous two years have created a varsity eight this year that has good experience to build off of.

A talented group, they are able to push themselves faster every week and continue making up seconds on very fast boats at home and at different courses.  

The second eight possesses a strong drive to compete and an effective regimen at practice that allows them to push the varsity boat on and off the water. The freshman eight has a dedicated group of rowers who have pushed themselves through a tough winter season and equally challenging spring.

Technique is a strong point with this crew that often competes against a taller, heavier field. Our novice eight has put together a full season of racing that has seen them improve well over the weeks.

Long practices have given both boats valuable time to form and gain speed. A newer addition to our lineup is a double that has picked up very quickly and is already able to accomplish tough workouts in less than favorable conditions.

All boats are ready for what’s ahead and have been anticipating a highly charged atmosphere in the weeks ahead.

We are looking forward to competing in the coming weeks and improving an already formidable record as we keep up with, and sometimes win over, the fastest teams in the South Jersey and Philadelphia area.

Having seen other crews progress over the weeks it is certain we will need to work hard this week in practice as many teams are rowing very well. I know we have enjoyed the challenge so far and will continue to take each week as it comes.