NMH Crew : Boys Crew

Race Results - Spring 2005

Season records (W-L)

B1 Varsity: 20-7
B2 JV: 1-15
B3 Novice: 3-10

Boys crew at New Englands
Saturday, May 28th
Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester MA

distance: 1500m
conditions: variable winds with light chop, good racing conditions

The NMH boys crew survived a difficult day at Lake Quinsigamond, faltering in their bid to win the varsity event and failing to qualify for the finals in the junior varsity and third boat events. That said, the crews represented themselves and their school very well, with composure and spirit. We especially appreciated the wonderful potluck and BBQ that our parents provided throughout the day.

B1 varsity
NMH entered the regatta seeded second based upon their fine racing record over the spring, but the morning races allow only the top two crews from each heat to advance. With Exeter on one side and St Johns on the other, NMH started well and was just establishing a slim lead as the crews moved past the halfway point. One of our oarsmen jumped his slide, perhaps in the excitement of the big push NMH was making, and the seat came off the tracks. Exeter and St Johns seized the opportunity and moved out to an open water lead while the oarsman struggled to get his seat reattached properly. Incredibly, NMH recovered from this mishap and bore down entering the final 500 meters, pulling back to within a few seats of the lead as they passed the cheering crowds along the beach. With ten strokes to go, all three crews were bowball to bowball, but the errant seat came off again during the final push and NMH finished a heartbreaking 1/3 of a second out of a chance to race in the Grand finals for the championship.

In the Petite finals, racing for seventh place overall and little else but their own pride, the boys demonstrated the strength of their hearts and character. They dominated the race for the final 1000 meters, pulling out to an open water lead over Kent by the halfway point and never looking back, except perhaps to wonder what it might have been like to race like that with a championship on the line.  Instead, the top three places went to St Pauls, Andover, and Exeter, excellent crews all. 

I can't tell you how many coaches and officials came over to express their admiration of the NMH crew after watching them race Saturday. Despite the hurt they are feeling today, I have never been prouder of a group of athletes than I am of this crew. The varsity finish their season with an undefeated dual race mark of 6-0 and an overall record of 20 - 7.

B1 lineup: Teresa Le '07 (cox), Gabriel Costa '06, Naim Culhaci '05, Nick Carr '05, Hunter Keil '05, Zach Rogers '06, Marc Cardwell '06, Cameron Mackenzie '05, Jon Russell '06

B2 junior varsity
Our B2 faced a difficult task in their morning heat, racing against five good crews and only three to advance to the finals. In addition, the tight regatta schedule forced us to race the B2 in the Appley, a boat older than the boys themselves and leaking in the stern. Racing is as much a mental effort as a physical one, and I think the crew psyched themselves out of a strong race before they even left the dock. The crew lacked the aggressive drive that had marked their recent races, and were left behind by the 500 meter mark. Although their race was clean, they finished a distant sixth and did not advance. This was a disappointing race to end a season that showed so much improvement in the junior varsity. We will miss the leadership and spirit that our four seniors provided this crew. They finish with an overall record of 1 - 15.

B2 lineup: Carol Wood '06 (cox), Shek Liu '05, Trevor Allard '06, Eli Pack '07, Joe Black '05, Stuart Hartley '05, Patrick Kenney '08, Tarek Ali '05, Erzhan Burkitbayev '06; B2 Alternates: Jae Kim '06, Dan Owings '07

B3 third varsity
Our novice were full of excitement and energy as they launched for their morning heat. Although seeded eleventh, they felt ready to drive for a spot in the finals because of the improvements they had made this year. Early in the race, the B3 were in second place, but the experience of their competition showed during the middle portion as boats increased their length and power to pull ahead. Our novice did not fold, but could not keep up with the top 3 crews, finishing a close fifth and ending their racing day before most of their classmates had gotten out of bed. This was the closest our B3 has raced at New Englands in many years, and they were able to post faster times in the heats than two boats that had beaten them by eight seconds earlier in the season. I am very excited about the prospect of working with these oarsmen in future seasons as they develop further skill and power. I think our varsity will continue to remain strong with the potential that these boys have. The B3 finish with an overall record of 3 - 10

B3 lineup: Alex Palmisano '07 (cox), Alex Edgar '07, Ian Mangiardi '06, Rob Downey '07, John Bleh '07, Jeff Breau '07, Evan Abrams '08, Jesse Posl-Rhinehart '08, Spencer Hattendorf '08; B3 alternates: Gabe Milici '07, Nick Palmisano '08

NMH vs. Andover
Saturday, 21 May
Connecticut River, Gill MA

Distance: 1400 m (upstream)
Conditions: light current and chop, light headwind increasing to moderate headwind for the second boat race

NMH hosted Andover on our home course today, and the racing was close and exciting. For the first time in many years, NMH took the varsity event with a very strong race, winning by a length. The second boat and third boats lost, but the differential in both events was much closer than in previous years. We were most grateful to our many parents and friends who attended the races and then hosted the crews to a delicious potluck afterwards.

Racing results and summaries:

B1 varsity
1. NMH (10 - 1) 4:12.5
2. Andover 4:16.2
NMH lineup: Teresa Le '07 (cox), Gabriel Costa '06, Naim Culhaci '05, Nick Carr '05, Hunter Keil '05, Zach Rogers '06, Marc Cardwell '06, Cameron Mackenzie '05, Jon Russell '06

NMH started well against Andover's varsity, and held even for the first minute. Our first push earned a few seats, but the crux of the race turned on our second push at the midway point. Andover always moves well in this section, but NMH owned the middle today. At the turn, we established an eight seat lead and continued to move well into the sprint. We finished our best race of the season with a glimpse of open water between the shells, a great race against an outstanding crew. Well done, boys!

B2 junior varsity
1. Andover 4:35.6
2. NMH (1-10) 4:49.0
NMH lineup: Carol Wood '06 (cox), Shek Liu '05, Trevor Allard '06, Eli Pack '07, Joe Black '05, Stuart Hartley '05, Jae Kim '06, Dan Owings '07, Erzhan Burkitbayev '06

NMH executed its best start of the season, moving smoothly and well at a 34 rating. Both boats moved into the 500 meter mark essentially even, with Andover beginning to establish a slight lead by the halfway point. A couple of unsettled strokes from the NMH crew sapped our speed at this point, just as Andover began its push, and suddenly Andover moved into open water at the turn. NMH regained its stride, but Andover was moving faster into its sprint for the finish. I am proud of B2 and the effort they put into this race, and for the improvements in speed and conditioning that each oarsman made this season.

B3 novice
1. Andover 4:35.2
2. NMH (2-6) 4:38.7
NMH lineup: Alex Palmisano '07 (cox), Alex Edgar '07, Ian Mangiardi '06, Rob Downey '07, John Bleh '07, Jeff Breau '07, Gabe Milici '07, Jesse Posl-Rhinehart '08, Spencer Hattendorf '08

NMH went out fast and hard, rowing at a 36 for the first half of the race. Their competition matched their rating and held even, but NMH seemed to have the upper hand approaching the turn. Andover began to lengthen out and began to earn some seats, but NMH did not yield ground easily. Both boats raced stroke for stroke for the line, with Andover earning an eight seat victory in an exciting race from two all-novice crews.

NMH at Hanover
Wednesday, 18 May
Connecticut River, Hanover NH

distance: 1500 meters
conditions: light tailwind, flat water

NMH raced Hanover High School on the lower course just off the Dartmouth College boat docks. The boys took the varsity race by open water, but lost the second and third boat races against good competition.

B1 race summary:
1. NMH (9-1) 4:42.3
2. Hanover 4:51.8
NMH spotted Hanover to an early two seat lead, executing a clean start but looking a little sluggish on the drive. We were able to shake out the cobwebs and the B1 began to move well, pulling even and then through Hanover with a great push midway. NMH kept opening up more distance into the last 500 meters, and felt their sprint was one of the strongest of the season. This was a good win against a good crew, improving our record to 5-0 in dual meets.

B2 race summary:
1. Hanover 5:08.0
2. NMH (1-9) 5:15.1
A sloppy start from NMH put them down a few seats, but the B2 held their composure and held their ground for the first half of the race. Hanover began to lengthen out in the middle and found a good rhythm that earned them an eight seat lead by the 1000-m mark. NMH was rowing smoothly, but could not find a gear to move back into contention, and Hanover pulled out to open water by the finish.

B3 race summary:
1. Hanover A 5:09.3
2. NMH (2-5) 5:09.4
3. Hanover B 5:30.4
The B3 got itself into another tight race, this time against Hanover's first novice boat. Both boats rowed stroke for stroke past the crowd on the Dartmouth docks, and the race was too close to call from shore. Our novice boys looked good going by, but a mistake just before the sprint may have cost them their first victory. Loose clothing got caught in the seat tracks and the seat became dislodged, forcing the oarsman to stop rowing and replace his seat in the tracks.

NMH at Shrewsbury
Wednesday, 11 May
Lake Quinsigamond, Shrewsbury MA

distance: 1500 m
conditions: strong headwind with chop, big motorboat wakes

NMH raced against a good public high school program from Shrewsbury on Wednesday afternoon, winning the varsity and junior varsity races while losing the third boat race.

B1 varsity:
1. NMH (8 - 1) 5:01.5
2. Shrewsbury 5:17.9
NMH lineup: Teresa Le '07, Gabriel Costa '06, Naim Culhaci '05, Nick Carr '05, Hunter Keil '05, Zach Rogers '06, Marc Cardwell '06, Cameron MacKenzie '05, Jon Russell '06

In the varsity race, Shrewsbury went out of the gates with a fast start that earned an early four seat lead. NMH bore down and pulled even by the 500 meter mark, then held the pace and opened up a length lead that they continued to extend. Teresa Le steered a great course into the wind, while our bow pair of MacKenzie and Russell provided the balance and control needed to maintain the high rating through choppy water.

B2 junior varsity:
1. NMH (1 - 8) 5:39.3
2. Shrewsbury 5:42.3
NMH lineup: Carol Wood '06 (cox), Shek Liu '05, Trevor Allard '06, Stuart Hartley '05, Joe Black '05, Tarek Ali '05, Patrick Kenney '08, Dan Owings '07, Erzhan Burkitbayev '06

The B2 had been making significant improvements in their speed in recent weeks, but hadn't yet been able to break out into the win column. Shrewsbury and NMH started well and held even for the first minute, but NMH lengthened to a powerful cadence into the headwind for the next two minutes. Seat by seat, NMH moved into the lead, eventually reaching open water by the 1000-meter mark. That steady move was enough to win today, although Shrewsbury showed their resilience by moving back into contact during the last 500 meters while NMH struggled with the wind and waves during their final 20 strokes. The finish line came in time for the tired but happy B2 crew, their first victory of the season!

B3 third varsity/novice:
1. Shrewsbury 5:41.3
2. NMH (1 - 4) 5:49.2

The B3 pulled off a great start, lengthening very well against an experienced Shrewsbury eight. NMH pulled slightly ahead, using slide control and leg drive to maintain good speed for the first half of the race. Shrewsbury pulled even and then ahead as NMH tired into the wind, but the race was still close until several late crabs took the starch out of the NMH crew as they approached the finish line. Our novice are learning something new in every race, but we'd like to see them learn what a victory feels like too! It will come, but not today as Shrewsbury was the better boat during the second half of the race.

NMH v Salisbury
Wednesday, May 4th
Lake Washinee, Salisbury CT

Distance: 1500 meters
Conditions: cool and breezy, moderate tailwind with chop

NMH won the varsity race against a very good Salisbury crew, establishing themselves as one of the top five or six eights in New England at the midpoint of the spring racing season. The JV and novice boats were less successful, dropping the second and third boat races against good competition.

B1 varsity
NMH lineup: Teresa Le '07 (cox), Gabriel Costa '06, Naim Culhaci '05, Nick Carr '05, Hunter Keil '05, Zach Rogers '06, Marc Cardwell '06, Cameron MacKenzie '05, Jon Russell '06
1. NMH (7-1) 4:25.7
2. Salisbury 4:34.3
NMH lengthened off the start to our highest rating of the season, and held Salisbury even until our first push. In about fifteen strokes, NMH moved out to stern on bow, and the die of the race was cast. Salisbury could not counter NMH's speed, and we finished with a length of open water - our strongest race of the season so far. Coxswain Teresa Le was in magnificent control of her crew and her steering, while the engine room of Carr, Keil, Rogers, and Cardwell provided the power to hold the high rating and hold it well.

B2 junior varsity
1. Salisbury 4:48.8
2. NMH (0-8) 5:00
The junior varsity found themselves down by eight seats almost immediately with a crab and a jumped seat right out of the gate. Although the oar and seat were quickly regained, Salisbury capitalized on the advantage and pushed out to open water by the halfway point. Coxswain Carol Wood '06 did not allow her crew to give in, and NMH showed their resilience by racing hard to the finish, stroke pair Shek Liu '05 and Trevor Allard '06 leading the way. The B2 will have more successful racing ahead of them, hopefully as soon as this weekend when we travel to the Mothers Day Regatta in Boston.

B3 third varsity/novice
1. Salisbury 3V 5:00.0
2. Salisbury 1N 5:09.2
3. NMH (1-3) 5:12.9
Coach Levitt and her novice eight were in a tough race against Salisbury's third boat, filled with upperclassmen from Salisbury's very strong hockey program. Salisbury's first novice eight also joined the race, and all three boats were essentially even to the midway point. Nick Palmisano '08 led NMH ably in his first race in the coxswain's seat, but the athleticism of the Salisbury B3 wore down the young Hoggers in the second half of the race. It was still a great race for second, with both novice crews battling stroke for stroke during the last 500 meters. Several small crabs in the NMH boat were just enough for the Salisbury novice to sneak ahead at the line in the closest race of the afternoon.

Next race: Sunday at the Mother's Day Regatta against eight crews in Boston. NMH is the defending champion in the varsity event.

NMH at Tabor
Saturday, April 30th
Herring Pond, Bournedale MA

length: 1500 m, downwind
conditions: rain and wind, especially in second half of course

NMH traveled down to the cranberry bogs of southeastern Massachusetts Saturday, racing Tabor for their first home race in many years. The venue at the Mass Maritime Rowing and Sailing facility was fantastic and some great racing occurred despite the inclement weather. The Tabor parents were especially hospitable, treating our crews to food and drink after the racing, and we were pleased to see so many NMH parents make the long trip to cheer on the team.

Race results and summaries:

B1 varsity
1.  NMH 4:34.4
2.  Tabor 4:42.6

In the varsity race, Tabor jumped to an early lead off the start, eventually pulling out to an eight seat lead by the first minute. NMH began to move back on Tabor, but also began to move into their lane. As they overtook Tabor, oars clashed and the Tabor seven man lost his oar in dramatic fashion. Coaches quickly conferred and stopped the race. Showing outstanding sportsmanship, the Tabor coach decided that the crews would rerow the race, although NMH could have been disqualified for their interference. Coxswain Teresa Le showed great composure in recovering quickly from her mistake and helping her crew to regain their focus immediately as they prepared for a second start. The second start was a repeat of the first, with Tabor jumping to an early six seat lead, and then NMH holding Tabor steady for the first minute and a half. NMH began to reel Tabor back to even, and in our best move of the young season, pushed out to open water in a span of about twenty strokes at the halfway point. NMH did not look back and earned an eight second victory over a strong Tabor crew.

B2 junior varsity
1.  Tabor 4:49.6
2.  NMH 5:01.0

Our junior varsity eight is improving rapidly, although their racing record has yet to record a triumph. Three weeks ago, they raced the varsity and were beaten by over a minute on our home course. Since then, the differential has shrunk to less than 30 seconds, and they are racing much closer to their competition as well. Against Tabor, NMH allowed the host crew an early lead of four to six seats off the start, but then settled into a rhythm that kept pace with Tabor until the halfway point. It was a good boat race, and Tabor responded with a little more run on each stroke during the second half, earning a solid eleven second victory over NMH. We need to continue to improve our spacing during the second half of race, but I am pleased to see such progress over where we were in early April.

B3 novice
1.  Tabor 3rd 5:07.2
2.  NMH 5:15.9
3.  Tabor 4th 6:06.0

This was the first race for our novice boat, and they responded with a great effort, racing an experienced Tabor boat even for much of the first 1000 meters. In their excitement, NMH tried to race at a 37 for the first 500 meters, but realized that they couldn't sustain such a high stroke rate without falling apart, and as they brought their rating down, their spacing improved. Tabor's experience and skill won the day eventually, but the novice showed that they have the strength, size, and enthusiasm to race! Coach Levitt was very pleased to see her crew in a close race, and expects that they will get a lot faster by the end of the season.

Boys crew at Exeter/Andover Invitational
Saturday, April 23rd
Lake Quinsigamond, Worcester MA

distance: 1500 meters
conditions: cool and misty, moderate tailwind and chop

B1 raced to what we thought was a second place finish Saturday against many of the top crews in New England, only to have this impressive achievement taken away by an official's error in recognizing their crew at the line. The "official" results show NMH in fifth place, but many opposing crews and coaches afterwards congratulated the NMH boys on an excellent race. I am sorry that I was unable to sway the race officials from their apparent mistake, despite corroboration from other coaches and observers that the official results seemed to be in error. Fortunately, we will get to race all of these crews again at the New England championships in May.

The picture below shows four of the crews about ten or fifteen strokes before the finish.  Note the buoys line up from left to right in this perspective.  NMH is in lane 1, seemingly holding a four- to six- seat lead on Simsbury in lane 2 and St Johns in lane 4.  Exeter is a length down in lane 5.  Andover leads by a length, just to the right of the picture in lane 3.

Unofficial results for B1:
1. Andover 4:30.1
2. NMH 4:33.0
3. Simsbury 4:34.7
4. St Johns 4:35.5
5. Exeter 4:36.3
6. Brookline 5:03.0

In the junior varsity race, the NMH boys finished sixth against stiff competition, but I was very pleased with the way these boys rowed Saturday. It was by far the cleanest race of the young season for B2, and as we bring our fitness level and stroke ratings up in the next few weeks, this boat will get in some good races. It isn't easy to finish last, but we can improve our speed in many areas now that we are rowing more efficiently and without mistakes.

B2 results:
1. St Johns 4:27.0
2. Exeter 4:32.4
3. Andover 4:40.7
4. Brookline 4:46.0
5. Simsbury 4:47.2
6. NMH 4:58.1

Deerfield v NMH
Saturday, April 16th
Connecticut River, Gill MA

conditions: calm and warm, moderate current
length: 1400 meters upstream

Race summaries and results:
NMH split a pair of races with Deerfield Saturday afternoon, winning the varsity race and losing the junior varsity race. Conditions were excellent and all coxswains steered fine courses in the first competition of the season for both teams.

B1 varsity:
1. NMH 4:32.9
2. Deerfield 4:35.3

In the varsity race, NMH executed a good start and established an early four seat lead after the first 25 strokes. Driving through the 500-m mark, NMH opened up an eight seat lead, but Deerfield maintained contact and did not yield during the middle part of the race. As the crews approached the 1000-m mark, NMH experienced some unsteadiness and Deerfield took advantage, pulling back to within four seats following the turn and setting up for a great race to the finish. Stroke pair Costa and Culhaci were unshakable for NMH, and the Hoggers responded with a powerful drive through the last 500-m that did not allow Deerfield to gain further ground. The crews crossed the line full out at a 36 in the sprint, and the NMH home crowd roared its approval for the hard-fought victory against a good Deerfield eight.

NMH varsity lineup: Teresa Le '07 (coxswain), Gabriel Costa '06, Naim Culhaci '05, Nick Carr '05, Hunter Keil '05, Cameron Mackenzie '05, Marc Cardwell '06, Zach Rogers '06, Jon Russell '06

B2 junior varsity:
1. Deerfield 5:01.4
2. NMH 5:20.9

In the junior varsity race, Deerfield jumped a seat in the start and caught a major crab that slowed their progress significantly. NMH had a clean start and moved into an early lead against their competition, but once Deerfield got their legs under them, the race was on. Both crews had trouble settling their starting pace to a more sustainable stroke rating, and the high cadence clearly took the steam out of the NMH eight midway through the race. Deerfield pulled even and moved past the Hoggers, establishing an eight seat lead by the 900-m turn. At this point, NMH experienced its own boat-stopping crab and the Big Green never looked back, winning easily against a tired but wiser NMH JV boat. I am hopeful that this difficult lesson will be the catalyst for a great week of effort in practice from the boys of B2.

NMH JV lineup: Carol Wood '06 (coxswain), Shek Liu '05, Jae Kim '06, Stuart Hartley '05, Trevor Allard '06, Eli Pack '07, Pat Kenny '08, Joe Black '05, Erzhan Burkitbayev '06

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