As evidenced in the edited score sheet below, our MV4 crew dropped time each race down the course (heat time 5:23.0, repechage time 5:19.3, petite final time 5:15.2.) In the petites, they finally drew even with our nemesis of the season, Norfolk Academy, finishing a scant 0.1 seconds behind. I also note that the times of both of our independent schools rivals seem to be stuck: NA 5:14/5:12/5:15 and Norfolk Collegiate 5:06/5:07/5:06. This indicates to me that we still have room for significant improvement at that they may have plateaued. I'm looking forward to the ISRs in a week.
In the M2V4 event we only raced once, finishing at 5:50.2. Coach O'Brien's observations from the ref launch are that this crew could be a solid unit with more work. I need to remind myself that we had a novice in the stroke seat and that none of the four will be graduating seniors so the future looks bright.
Our MN4 crew finished third in their heat ahead of both Cape Henry and Norfolk Collegiate, but behind Norfolk Academy. Next weekend will be interesting with another four-way private school battle.
On the girls' side, our WV8 also dropped times each time down the course with a heat time of 5:25.4 and a petite final time of 5:22.0. They won the petites, finishing ahead of James River, a significant accomplish against a large school (2000 students) that rows year-round. I also note that the Cox High School crew did not finish ahead of us in this, the marquee women's event -- they too failed to qualify for the grand finals and then missed the start for the petites. Our crew did what was required: get to the start on time and finish ahead of all the competitors in the race. I'll quote directly from Coach O'Brien: My notes--"Awesome". The technique things we have been working on with this group are there, but they rowed tremendously as a team. Meredith pulls like all get out and I think helped the bow four contribute more to the boat. Anna pulls like crazy but occasionally rushed the catch, she overall was tremendous. Cara much improved with length of stroke, hand position and balance. Megan solid and could get slightly longer stroke. Nealy had good full stroke, probably could apply more power. Airielle, Amanda and Becky had much better synch with the boat and I'd like to see more power and natural body swing from them. I am proud of what this boat has become as a unit. I'll add "well done." Neither CH nor NC entered a crew in this event so it seems to be shaping up as another mano-a-mano event against NA for the ISRs.
Our WV4 crew also dropped times each time down the course with a heat time of 6:50.5 and a petite final time of 6:33.3. We were in good company in this event since Great Bridge, arguably the premier program in the EVSRA (winning this year's overall trophy for the 13th consecutive year,) also failed to qualify a WV4 crew into the grand finals. GB also failed to defeat us in the petites, having to scratch their WV4 entry in the petites. NC and NA will be schools to contend with at the ISRs but with double rowing allowed we will probably enter both a WV4 and a W2V4 (and perhaps even a WLt4) so I'm still opimistic.
In the W1x event Natalie put up a strong fight. Here are Coach O'Brien's notes to me: Great stroke, she was gaining on the Cox rower up through mid course. I was convinced she would win the event. Her form was tremendous, much better stroke length, good balance and crisp release. I was surprised after I got off the water to hear she ran out of gas and dropped back. She can be one of the best in our region if she gets endurance. Very pleased with her progress. Conditioning has to be a year round process. I keep reminding myself that Natalie has just learned to scull and has only been in the boat about twenty times and that this was only her second race, with a time of over 27 seconds faster than her previous race. In fact her finishing time was lower than NA's winning M1x entry in the Spring Fling regatta of April 13th. I hope to enter both sculling events in the ISRs.
Lastly in the mixed four event we entered a boat of novices that competed against varsity level crews from the other schools. This was Nick's first race as a coxswain and he did fine. I appreciate Nathan pulling double duty as the stroke of this boat. I do expect to enter the WN4 event next week, with probably Hana taking the bow.
Here are the results. Color coding: Green rows separate events; yellow rows separate the progression in each event. Same colored cells are the same crew.
I'll be uploading videos over the next few days. Below are the videos of the MV4 in their heat race and in the petite finals.
Any still pictures, send 'em my way!
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