NMH Crew : Boys Crew

Race Results - Fall 2002

Season records (W-L)

NMH-A (varsity): 19 - 30

Head of the Charles Regatta
Charles River, Cambridge MA
Sunday, 20 October

Distance: 3 miles
Conditions: calm water, mild to moderate headwind in parts of course

Race summary:
NMH finished 29th out of 39 entrants at the Head of the Charles Regatta Sunday. The boys rowed well, but did not have the leg drive to hold off the speed of a very strong field. Our competition included eight collegiate crews and two international crews, not to mention high school and club programs from all over New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Florida, and Virginia.

Aaron Bruker '03 was impressive in the stroke seat, setting a good pace at 30-31 strokes per minute. Experienced veterans Reed Kennedy '03 and Gardner Howe '03 provided good power to hold the rating and newcomer Moritz Rudolf '04 showed great improvement in posture and stroke length. Due to its twisting course and bridge bottlenecks, the Head of the Charles is probably one of the most difficult races for coxswains anywhere. Coxswain Boyoun Choi '03 stepped up the challenge of moving into the varsity coxswain's role and led her crew admirably. She also received no penalties from the officials (a common occurrence at this event). NMH rowed well during the first mile, establishing a good rhythm and opening up an increasing advantage on the Nobles crew immediately behind them. However, the middle of the course was our undoing this year. Our weaknesses here were twofold: wide turns that allowed the trailing crew to regain the advantage and eventually pass, and a loss of focus from the oarsmen as they watched their competitors move on them. It is difficult to maintain that necessary concentration when a boat makes a move on you, but you must regain your composure and redouble your efforts. The last mile proved to be a better overall effort from oarsmen and coxswain, with a great line around the final turn and good speed into the sprint for the finish.

Head of the Textile
Merrimack River, Lowell MA
Sunday, 6 October

distance: 3 miles
conditions: calm, little current, moderate headwind during last mile

Race results:
1. CRI A 21:08
2. Groton A 21:11
3. NMH 21:12
4. Worcester A 21:34
5. Brewster 21:36
6. Groton B 21:52
7. CRI B 22:23
8. Concord 22:24
9. Worcester B 23:43
10. Worcester C 27:29

Race summary:
NMH rowed to a third place finish at the Head of the Textile Regatta Sunday. Defeated by four seconds after over twenty minutes of hard work, this race should provide the inspiration to demonstrate their true speed at the Head of the Charles next week.

NMH v. Niskayuna
Mohawk River, Schenectady NY
Saturday, 28 September

distance: 4.3 km upstream
conditions: moderate headwind and chop, with significant current

Race results:
1. NMH 15:38
2. Niskayuna A 15:44
3. Niskayuna B 18:42

Race summary:
NMH brought home the inaugural Alumni Cup, newly established by a group of former University of Vermont oarsmen who have ties to Niskayuna and Northfield Mount Hermon. The boys had a score to settle after losing a close race to Niskayuna last spring on our home course, but were uncertain about their prospects since only captains Aaron Bruker and Reed Kennedy had varsity racing experience. Boyoun Choi coxed her first varsity race and performed very well, jockeying for position with the Niskayuna first boat on several turns and maintaining her crew's poise throughout the race. Gardner Howe, Dan Reid, and Michael Verney earned their first varsity win after working their way up through the program the past two years, while Ray Wu, Moritz Rudolf, and Naim Culhaci proved themselves to be welcome newcomers on the team. Niskayuna were wonderful hosts, treating the team to a post-race potluck lunch in the afternoon sun.

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