TEN QUESTIONS WITH...

What is the Metro Cup event that your team qualified for this upcoming weekend?
It’s the beginning of the NCAA setting up a structure for programs to get recognized and become eligible for the NCAA Championship, which has only been around since 1997. So, the structure for qualifying for the NCAA Championships is still in the development stage. This is the first year of this particular event.

How important is it to have a successful showing this weekend at the Metro Cup?
This is going to be one of the most important events as we move forward as a program. Having a good performance at the Metro Cup is paramount.

Last weekend, your team put in a solid performance at the New York State Championships. How much did that help to get recognition?
That is also a rated event, which means the NCAA takes a look at the results. We did perform really well there, with four of our five entries advancing into the finals round from their respective heats. All four of them medalled, including our novice four getting a gold.

Aside from the big events, how do you determine which events you want to compete in throughout the season?
We are always looking to face some of the nationally ranked programs. Last month, our novice eight team placed second at the Knecht Cup. That novice eight was sandwiched in the grand final between Kansas and Wisconsin, who were both ranked nationally. We feel like we are definitely gaining speed in the program all over. There are also a handful of other events in which we face programs that receive national recognition.

You’ve mentioned your “novice” teams. What is the difference between “varsity” and “novice,” and who makes that determination?
It is an NCAA classification. Varsity refers to someone who has rowed in college for more than one year. A novice rower is someone who learned to row in high school and is recruited or someone who learned to row in college. No matter what age you are, your first year rowing competitively in college is your novice year.

Another item you’ve discussed is the “four” team and the “eight” team. How do you determine the makeup of each of those teams?
That usually depends on the strength of your program. We have a fairly strong program, so we put together our varsity eight first and then our four. Other programs might reverse that, putting their strongest members on the four. We build our varsity eight first because that is what the NCAA looks at.

What is the role of the coxswain on the boat?
The coxswain drives the boat and looks ahead. She has a computer at her position and is telling the crew what rate they are at. There is a microphone system under the seat, so everybody can hear her. She talks about the race strategy, as well as letting the team know where other teams are. She is the driver, brains, and mental energy of the boat.

What are the duties of the stroke seat?
The stroke sits across from the coxswain. She sets the cadence in the boat. Whoever is in the stroke seat must be calm and have a lot of mental strength.

What are the roles of the remaining members of the team?
Behind the stroke seat is the seven, who is part of the stroke pair. Seats six, five, four and three are the engine room of the boat. They are the power seats in the boat. The remaining members are the bow pair, which is the bow and seat two. They do a lot of steering and finesse-type work.

How much of an effect do the water and weather conditions have on a race?
If there is a following wind or a tail wind your times will be better. It’s harder to set and balance a boat with a following wind, but your times are going to be quicker. Also, if you are with the current as opposed to against it, your times are going to be faster.

-The ‘10 Questions with…’ feature is compiled by Geoff Nason.