The winning boat at Spring Splash.
Two events made this past weekend a fun-filled, tasty one at Row New York: our Manhattan program’s end-of-season barbecue and our Spring Splash race on the Harlem River. Coach Tom Eichler reports on the barbecue.
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RNY Manhattan held their end of the year barbecue this past Friday at PJS. For the athletes and parents, it was an event held to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of the previous year. But from my perspective as the Varsity Program Director and head coach, it was all about looking forward.
First, novices were handed their RNY hoodies with their names on it, given to them by a member of the current varsity. This signaled the completion of their novice year, which for the group was a tremendous accomplishment, and one they were both happy and sad to have completed. For me however, it served as a reminder that these former novices would now be a part of my varsity squad. The prospect of those athletes filling roles on the varsity team is truly thrilling, and I cannot wait to see them continue to thrive as varsity athletes.
Next, there were senior send-offs. For the small group of seniors on the varsity, this meant a heartfelt goodbye, and reflecting on their time as a rower. Our junior captain, Betsy Yang, spoke about all of our seniors, recounting some funny stories and some really incredible improvements over the course of the seniors’ rowing career. As their coach I was sad to see them leave the team, but again was more excited about being able to follow their rowing careers that will continue into college. Having a former Row New York Manhattan athlete make an impact on a college team would be a really big step for our program, and will help to grab the attention of college recruiters in the future. I am glad to have had seniors that left very large shoes to fill, and served as examples of what senior leadership is.
Finally, awards were handed out. There were awards given to the most valuable varsity rower for the boys and girls, as well as the most improved varsity rower for the boys and girls. Alex Cirone and Xander Fong were named most valuable rowers, and Sophie Sanders and Nick Bevacqua were named most improved. I know the nature of these awards is that they are reflections of past accomplishments, and the recipients all certainly earned them. But the awards do more than just acknowledge previous accomplishments. They served as a reminder of what other members of the team can achieve in the future. Its my hope that as plaques start to fill some of the walls in the PJS boathouse, that athletes will work hard to have their names etched on them, and on the history of a program that is so young.
The whole end of the year event, earning awards and being recognized, were acknowledgements of the past year as well as reminders about the future; a gentle reminder that accomplishments are to be celebrated, but even greater accomplishments remain to be achieved.
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Row New York’s Jared Crum recaps the Spring Splash:
Rain and clouds were no match for rowers’ enthusiasm this past Saturday at our Harlem River Spring Splash event. Despite the stormy weather, several dozen of our friends and supporters came together in three boats for a 1,000 meter race out of the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse. Hot dogs, burgers, and beer followed as our rowers fired up the grill and made the race a spring cookout, rowing-style.
After a period of mingling on the boathouse second floor, Executive Director Amanda Kraus welcomed the assembled guests. The Splash was designed to showcase our Manhattan boathouse and overall program to newer supporters, with more established supporters also attending to spread enthusiasm for the organization. It was for this group that Amanda outlined our history and core programs. Alumnae Ashley Tomblin, Carol Quijada, and Cat Saona were on hand as well to explain Row New York’s positive impact on their lives and careers. 2004 Olympic silver medalist Ali Cox attended, too, representing Row New York’s Board of Directors.
After this introduction, all the rowers threw their shoes in a central pile in the mingling room. This was the boat selection process. Three boats were forged out of this shoe pile by event organizer and RNY coach Stephanie Frank, who separated the shoes at random.
After pushing off, warming up, and finding their points, the boats raced to the finish. The Kate Bender-coxed boat including Ali Cox snagged first place and took bragging rights into the post-race hot dogs and beer session.
Spring Splash was a success thanks to our new and established friends who showed up on Saturday to help make it a great time. We are grateful as well to our excellent masters rowers who organized this day of fun on and off the water with our staff. Thanks masters rowers!
