USC Crew Team Prepares For Another Big Year

As Upper St. Clair athletes hit the fields and courts this week for the , another Upper St. Clair sports team is preparing for a big year on the water.

Upper St. Clair Crew will soon be starting up their club sport and hopes to send teams to nationals again this year.

The crew team has dramatically grown in the last three to four years, according to board president Pierette VanRyzin. They recruit eighth graders at and will have a freshman fall rush program at the in September.

"Usually once they get on the water they're hooked," Pierette said. 

Upper St. Clair sent one men's team to the national competition in 2010 and two men's teams to nationals in 2011.

"It's demanding, but rewarding," said Paul VanRyzin, a senior and team captain.

The season begins in the fall where they take part in endurance races, transitions into an intense winter of conditioning and then picks back up in the spring with sprint races.

"It's fun. It gets you in shape," Paul said. "And it's a great way to integrate into the high school."

According to Paul, the team dynamic is what attracts many freshmen to the team, including new member Morgan Cook.

"I joined the team because I thought I'd get a great experience and friends at the same time," Morgan said. "The people are some of the nicest in Upper St. Clair and they treat you like you're part of the team. It's sort of like a family down here."

Head coach R.J. Pisani got hooked on the sport when he was a team member at Upper St. Clair High School about 12 years ago.

"The reason I loved it is because I hated competition. There's no one person that can win or lose it for you," R.J. said. "It's the ultimate team sport."

R.J. has been coaching since graduating and tries to make sure he has a job that will allow him to have the time to continue to coach.

"I'm loyal to a fault. Crew and coaching, I just absolutely love," R.J. said.

"People get a passion for it and can't walk away from it," Pierette said. 

Upper St. Clair Crew utilizes the Three Rivers Rowing Association boathouse for boat storage and for fall and spring practices. To find out how you can get involved, email usccrew@gmail.com.