The Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships – a Goal for Next Season

    The Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School Crew Team has never participated in the State Championship Regatta held on Occoquan Reservoir in Northern Virginia. There are a couple of reasons for this: we are a small and relatively inexperienced program and I felt uncomfortable making the excursion into the “big leagues.” The Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) http://www.vasra.org/History_and_Mission.html, the sponsoring body of the state championship, is one of “mid-majors” of this country’s rowing associations and have had member schools regularly participate in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America’s (SSRA) https://www.sraa.net/history/  National Championship regatta. But due to our growth this past season, I believe that a reasonable goal for next year is to have our top crews make the end-of-the-season trip to Occoquan for “states.”

    At this year’s state championship regatta, held the weekend of 14 and 15 May, there were 31 local crews participating. Most of these from the EVSRA http://www.evsra.org/ were public schools that row year ‘round (Granby, Great Bridge, Princess Anne, James River, Hickory, First Colonial, and Cox.)  But Norfolk Academy, a spring-only program like us, also sent five crews: their MV4, WV4, M2nd4, W2nd4, and WV8 crews (there are no novice events at states.) Their results were interesting: none of their top boats made it to finals, but their M2nd4 and W2nd4 crews finished second in their events, behind TC Williams and Episcopal respectively. (Complete results are here: http://roninregistration.com/rowing/results/resultseventlist.asp?p=default&pt=rowing&GroupID=40816&Year=2011 ) Even thought their best crews didn’t place, I think that NA’s participation at this level will only bolster their program, the strongest overall at this year’s independent schools regatta, for competition next year. I think we as a team are also in a position to finally make that same leap.

    I do not envision all team members making the trip to Occoquan. But a trip to States would require those crews that are interested to step up their game. To be competitive, an athlete would need to commit to year ‘round conditioning and practice. It would not be sufficient to simply start erging in February and get back into the boat in March as we have done in years past. One would need to build and maintain strength and endurance beginning today. Students who participate in other sports (cross country / football / volleyball /swimming / wrestling / basketball / etc.) are already getting the year ‘round conditioning. They would need to simply add some erg and boat time to their routine. I am willing to hold summer and fall rowing sessions for those folks. I would expect a large presence at next year’s erg pull. Students who want to go to states and who now only row in the spring would need to make a larger commitment. For example, join Mr. Campbell’s cross country team. Cross country also has a no-cuts policy and offers the chance for everyone to build leg and cardiovascular strength.

    There are other requirements for participation at States. Lightweight crews, for example, need to get the trainer to perform a body fat analysis before the season begins to ascertain that they do not drop below a certain threshold. There would also be an added time and financial cost. The reporting time at States is 6:45 a.m., necessitating a Friday departure and a hotel stay near the venue.

    There will still be plenty of spots on the crew team for rowers and coxswains who want to restrict their participation to the spring season in the local EVSRA regattas. But for those team members willing to take the next step, I’m willing to help them out.  New boats, new oars, new enthusiasm, new challenges -- pull hard, Crusaders!