NMH Crew : Boys Crew

Race Results - Spring 2002

Season records (W-L)

B1 Varsity: 5 - 17
B2 JV: 1 - 8
B3 Novice: 4 - 13

NMH @ NEIRA championships
Saturday, May 25
Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester MA

distance: 1500m
conditions: Light tailwind, slight chop, excellent racing conditions

Varsity Heat 2 results:
1. St Johns 4:30.4
2. St Pauls 4:32.7
3. Simsbury 4:35.8
4. Hanover 4:40.1
5. NMH 4:41.3 (10.9 seconds behind winner)
6. Stonington 4:55.4

Race summary:
Short story: Placing fifth in its heat, NMH did not advance into either the Grand finals or Petite finals. Final season record ( 5 – 17 )

Long story: NMH changed its race plan and its mindset for this race and finally performed in a race the way they have in practice. Due to their poor performance in earlier races, NMH were seeded into the most difficult heat and faced the prospect of trying to beat out four boats who had already beaten them by greater than ten seconds. NMH were able to keep their focus within the boat for the first 500m, settling to a low but more powerful 34 spm. The four lead crews opened up sizeable leads but were within striking distance. At the 500m mark NMH brought their rating up to a 36 and continued to move well. By the 1000m mark NMH were down a length to Hanover while Simsbury, St Johns, and St Pauls battled for the top two positions that would advance to the Grand finals. In the last 500m, NMH made a huge move on the other crews, sprinting hard to the finish and nearly catching Hanover in the process. The earlier deficit was just a little too much to overcome however and the varsity put their boat on the trailer early, disappointed in the result but extremely pleased with their performance. NMH took some solace in the knowledge that their time was significantly faster than many of the crews who did advance from the other heats. It is easy to be misled by heat times, of course, but it’s clear that there were five very good crews in our heat and we were one of them. After beating out NMH by about two seats, Hanover went on to place third in the Petite Finals behind Simsbury who finished second. Exeter took the Grand Final race ahead of Kent and St Johns.

Varsity lineup:
Philip Cortes ’02 (coxswain), Eli Durmer ’02 (stroke), Reed Kennedy ’03 (seven), Adam Phillips ’03 (six), Bosco Cheng ’02 (five), Alex Forden ’03 (four), Andrew Ness ’04 (three), Aaron Bruker ’03 (two), Arun Ghosh ’02 (bow)

Junior varsity:
Due to their disqualification in a key race earlier this season, NMH were not seeded for NEIRAs this year. The boys second boat were more experienced than any second boat crew in recent memory and were able to push the varsity hard in practice all spring. I am looking forward to working with most of these guys as they compete for varsity seats next year.

JV lineup:
Lauren Siket ’03 (coxswain), Harrison Fox ‘03 (stroke), Gardner Howe ’03 (seven), Andrew Baldwin ’03 (six), David Bernsten ’05 (five), Ian Buffam ’04 (four), Michael Verney ’03 (three), Adit Kafrawi ’02 (two), Dan Reid ’04 (bow), Joel Colony '02 (alternate)

Novice Heat 1 results:
1 St. Paul's 4:46.4
2 St John's 4:54.55
3 Simsbury 4:57.57
4 Tabor 5:12.42
5 NMH 5:24.23 (38 seconds behind winner)

Race summary:
NMH entered the regatta seeded tenth and placed accordingly in its heat. Throughout the season, the NMH third boat had been unable to row a clean race, without catching crabs or jumping a slide. Yesterday's performance was an exception to that and NMH finished closer to the competition than they had in their previous races. At Andover last week, they lost to Tabor by 21 seconds and were well back throughout most of the race. At NEIRA's, the NMH boat was competitive with Tabor for most of the race, finishing less than 12 seconds back.

Novice lineup:
Boyoun Choi (Cox), Ray Wu, Young Kim, David Park, Alex Rafferty, Samson Cheng, JaeYeon Park, Tyler Murray, Leon Yao

NMH @ Andover, with Tabor
Saturday, 18 May 2002
Merrimack River, Lawrence MA

Distance: 1500m downstream
Conditions: cold, snow during warmups changing to light drizzle during races, flat water, light tailwind

B1 varsity
Race results:
1. Andover 4:47.7
2. Tabor 4:49.7
3. NMH 5:05.2 (17.5 seconds behind winner)

Race summary:
NMH had a decent start and maintained contact through the bridge at the 500m mark. NMH allowed their power to sag as the other crews moved past into open water, and both opponents gained about a 10 second lead in forty strokes during the middle 500. NMH heard the roar of the crowd and regained their spacing for the final 500m but the other crews were locked in a tight race and continued to increase their lead. It was an exciting finish between Andover and Tabor. Oh how I'd like to be able to include NMH in that sentence but it is very hard to row at 100% of your ability once you lose contact that early in a 1500m sprint.

B1 lineup:
Cortes (c), Bruker, Kennedy, Phillips, B. Cheng, Forden, Ness, Durmer, Ghosh

B2 junior varsity
Race results:
1. Andover 5:00.6
2. Tabor 5:07.2
3. NMH 5:18.7 (18.1 seconds behind winner)

Race summary:
NMH were rushed throughout the race and never settled into a strong rhythm. We have trained at a stroke rate of 34 in recent weeks, but the junior varsity went out too high today and lacked the conditioning to maintain their spacing at a higher 36.

B2 lineup:
Siket (c), Fox, Howe, Baldwin, Colony, Buffam, Verney, Kafrawi, Reid

B3 novice
Race results:
1. Andover 5:02.9
2. Tabor 5:28.9
3. NMH 5:49.9 (47 seconds behind winner)

Race summary:
Andover took an early boat-length lead on Tabor and NMH. Tabor slowly gained seats on NMH but NMH held close to Tabor as Andover pulled away. Near the 500m mark, an NMH rower jammed his slide and the boat panicked. Andover and Tabor gained lengths of open water and NMH could not pull back into contention. Still aiming for a race when they do not take themselves out of contention, B3 looks to row a clean race at the NEIRA championships next Saturday in Worcester, MA.

B3 lineup:
Boyoun Choi (cox), Ray Wu, Young Kim, David Park, Alex Rafferty, Shawn Grauel, Besian Xhemali, Tyler Murray, Leon Yao

Mother's Day Regatta
Charles River, Boston MA
11 May 2002

Distance:1500m
Conditions: strong gusty headwind, heavy chop in first 500m, moderate chop for last 1000m

B1 varsity
3rd out of 5 in heat, advanced to Grand final
1. Hanover 5:20.2
2. Worcester 5:25.8
3. Brookline 5:28.7
4. CRI 5:31.5
5. NMH 5:32.1 (12 seconds behind winner)
6. Barnstable 5:49.7

NMH struggled with unfamiliar starting commands, as well as the wind and waves in the outside lane during both the heat and the finals Saturday. The conditions were difficult, but the other crews handled them much better than we did. We will have a chance for redemption against Hanover and Brookline again in two weeks at New Englands, and I expect the varsity to bring a better race than they did this week.

B2 junior varsity
Final only
1. Brookline 5:23.5
2. NMH 5:33.9 (disqualified for interference)
3. Shrewsbury 5:37.1
4. Hanover 5:51.3
5. CRI 5:58.2
6. Cambridge 6:57.9

NMH's woes continued in the junior varsity race, where they were disqualified for interference with another crew in the sprint for the finish. The second boat shrugged off the difficult conditions in the outside lane and rowed the course in a time only one second slower than the varsity, where typically these crews are about 15 to 20 seconds apart. This was another strong effort by the junior varsity, but unfortunately it was negated by their disqualification.

Some days are better than others.
 

NMH @ Kent
Housatonic River, Kent CT
Saturday, 4 May 2002

distance: 1700m (downstream)
conditions: warm, light winds and current, flat water

B1 varsity
Race results:
1. Kent B1 4:53.6
2. NMH 5:10.0 (16.4 seconds behind)

Race summary:
The boys varsity put forth a lackluster effort Saturday against last year's winner of the New England championships. Kent looked very strong, while NMH were sluggish and lacking confidence. This race was a bitter disappointment after so much work and sweat in practice this spring.

B1 lineup:
Cortes (c), Durmer, Kennedy, Phillips, B. Cheng, Ness, Forden, Bruker, Ghosh

B2 junior varsity
Race results:
1. Kent B2 5:07.0
2. NMH 5:27.5 (20.5 seconds behind)

Race summary:
Last year, Kent's JV beat our second boat by 37 seconds. Although we cut that margin almost in half this year, the boys in B2 recognized that they are capable of better.

B2 lineup:
Siket (c), Fox, Howe, Baldwin, Bernsten, Buffam, Rafferty (novice), Kafrawi, Reid

B3 novice
Race results:
1. Kent 5:15
2. NMH 6:11

Race summary:
Off a strong start, Kent jumped to an early lead. As they struggled to keep contact with Kent, NMH caught a boat-stopping crab. By the 500m mark, Kent had a comfortable lead on which they built for the remainder of the race. NMH look to row a more composed race when they face Deerfield (scrimmage) on Wednesday.

Salisbury @ NMH
Connecticut River, Gill MA
Wednesday, 1 May 2002

Distance: 1500m (upstream)
Conditions: moderately strong current, gusty headwind during first 800m with slight chop
Comments: Race distances varied slightly as crews were aligned against the current. The B3 race began upstream of the starting line, while B1 and B2 raced approximately equal distances.

It was an emotional day for the Boys crew as they dedicated their varsity racing shell in honor of their former coach, Charles K. Hamilton. Coach Hamilton christened the boat "CKH" in memory of his father and urged the boys to "row like the wind". Several alumni also spoke, describing their experience in the NMH crew program and praising their coach.

B1 varsity
Race Results:
1. Salisbury 4:42.5
2. NMH 4:55.3 (12.8 seconds behind)

Race Summary:
NMH got off to their best start of the season, gaining a couple of seats after the settle and moving well at a 36 stroke rating for the first 500m. Salisbury are an excellent crew this year, but several of their athletes were anxiously looking over to gauge our position early in the race. At the 500m mark, Salisbury had pulled ahead by about four seats but the coaches were predicting an excellent push to the finish. NMH caught a series of crabs, however, that took the speed out of the high rating and the boys allowed Salisbury to open up a length lead by the 1000m mark. NMH found some of their rhythm again during the final 500m, but Salisbury were very quick in their sprint and finished 13 seconds ahead.

B1 lineup:
Cortes (c), Durmer, Kennedy, Phillips, B. Cheng, Forden, Ness, Bruker, Ghosh

B2 junior varsity
Race Results:
1. Salisbury 5:00.0
2. NMH 5:19.8 (19.8 seconds behind)

Race Summary:
A sloppy start took the steam out of NMH from the beginning of the race. We jumped our rating to a 35 for this race, and the boys were able to hold it throughout, but it never really felt comfortable and Salisbury finished pulling away.

B2 lineup:
Siket (c), Fox, Howe, Baldwin, Bernsten, Buffam, Verney, Kafrawi, Reid

B3 novice
Race Results:
1. Salisbury 5:03.4
2. NMH 5:56.0 (53 seconds behind)

Race Summary:
NMH rowed a much cleaner race against Salisbury than they did on Saturday. The boys continued to improve, rowing the course in a personal best time. The stronger and more experienced Salisbury crew jumped off the line quickly and outpaced NMH, rowing to an easy victory.

B3 lineup:
John Clark (c), Ray Wu, Alex Rafferty, David Park, Young Kim, Shawn Grauel, Besian Xhemali, Samson Cheng, Leon Yao

NMH v Niskayuna (NY)
Connecticut River, Gill MA
Saturday, 27 April 2002

Distance: 1500m (upstream)
Conditions: moderate current, light headwind, very slight chop

B1 varsity
Race Results:
1. Niskayuna 4:35.7
2. NMH 4:40.6 (4.9 seconds behind)

Race Summary:
Niskayuna had a powerful start and jumped to an eight seat lead within the first 200 meters. NMH held fast and settled to a rating of 34 strokes per minute while the visitors maintained a higher 37 throughout the body of the race. NMH was unable to pull through Niskayuna after the turn at the 1000m mark and suffered a disappointing defeat in its first home race of the season.

B1 lineup:
Philip Cortes (c), Eli Durmer, Reed Kennedy, Adam Phillips, Bosco Cheng, Alex Forden, Andrew Ness, Aaron Bruker, Arun Ghosh

B2 junior varsity
Race results:
1. NMH 4:52.8 (1.2 seconds ahead)
2. Niskayuna 4:54.0

Race Summary:
The visitors were quick off the line and stretched out a four seat lead by the 500m mark. Stroke Harrison Fox set a strong tempo of 33 strokes per minute while Niskayuna maintained a much higher 38, holding off repeated moves by the NMH crew. At the 1100m mark, NMH took a technique 10 followed by a power 10 that yielded two seats. NMH gained confidence with every stroke in the last 200m and reeled in Niskayuna on their sprint. Coxswain Lauren Siket guided her crew to the first B2 victory by an NMH boat since . . . since . . . well, I don't know! It was a very exciting race and a wonderful win for the JV on their home course.

B2 lineup:
Lauren Siket (c), Harrison Fox, Gardner Howe, Andrew Baldwin, David Bernsten, Ian Buffam, Michael Verney, Adit Kafrawi, Dan Reid

B3 novice
Race results:
1. Niskayuna 5:46.4
2. NMH 6:18.6 (32.2 seconds behind)

Race Summary:
Both crews started a bit rough but were relatively evenly matched for the first 300m of the race. Niskayuna began to settle more comfortably into their racing rhythm at the 500m mark and began to pull away gradually as NMH struggled to maintain their cadence. By the 800m mark, Niskayuna had widened their lead to a length of open water. NMH began to row more smoothly by the 1000m mark but they could not match the speed of the visiting crew. Despite the loss, NMH took comfort in knowing that they shaved more than two minutes from their previous best time for the course. The boat looks to continue their improvement in the coming weeks.

B3 lineup:
John Clark (c), Tyler Murray, David Park, Raymond Wu, Jae Yeon Park, Samson Cheng, Besian Xhemali, Shawn Grauel, Leon Yao

Exeter/Andover Invitational
Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester MA
Saturday, 19 April 2002

Distance: 1500m
Conditions: showers, tailwind, flat water

B1 varsity:
1.  Andover 4:23.9
2.  Exeter 4:25.6
3.  St Johns 4:30.4
4.  Simsbury 4:32.3
5.  NMH 4:40.5 (16.6 seconds behind winner)

B2 junior varsity:
1.  St Johns 4:41.2
2.  Exeter 4:44.0
3.  Andover 4:49.4
4.  Simsbury 4:51.3
5.  NMH 5:04.2 (23.0 seconds behind winner)

Conditions were prime for fast racing and all crews rowed very well. I've never seen two crews so excited after finishing last in a race.

Let me rephrase that. The four crews that NMH raced against this weekend are perennial Grand Finalists at the New England championships. None of the NMH oarsmen in either boat have been this close to these crews before, and all were thrilled to be racing better against them. However, we have five weeks to improve and our goals are higher than these results reflect. Stroke Eli Durmer '02 had fire in his eyes after B1's race as he described for his crew the challenge and work that lies ahead. Sometimes a coach's job is to only listen and nod. Bring it on.

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