- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,150,898
- Reaction score
- 59
Those conversations about porta potties and unusual debris in the river, somehow, might’ve been a foretoken of the success to come.
The quality of the portable toilets wasn’t much of a factor, obviously, but the willingness of the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School rowers to share with each other stories of their strange race day experiences was an early indication of their camaraderie.
“We talk about that stuff as much as we do medaling in big events,” coach Andrew Runne said. “Being able to joke around and talk about stuff like that shows how comfortable they with each other as teammates and friends.”
Beyond the good vibes, that fellowship has led to improved teamwork and synergy that helped produce one of the better crew seasons in program history.
'Incredibly meaningful': Wappingers dedicates boat to deceased former coach Kerri Roger
Holy water: Lourdes kicks off crew season with customary "Blessing of the Fleet"
Last year: Rhinebeck, Wappingers win Hudson Valley Rowing League titles
They’ve given themselves plenty to talk about, having medaled in several big regattas. Roosevelt earlier this month won the coveted Dutchess Cup, overcoming powerhouse Wappingers, and they went on to have two winners and another boat capture bronze in the state tournament in Saratoga Springs.
Sarah Stratton won a state title in the girls single, the freshman earning a berth to the Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida in June. The girls freshman 4 took first scholastically, finishing only three-fourths of a second behind a club team for first overall.
As well, the boys freshman 8 placed third among the school teams and qualified for nationals, and the Presidents’ boys junior 4 took fourth scholastically. The boys senior 4 made it to the B finals. Joseph Andros, a junior, also qualified for nationals in the varsity single for a second straight year.
They’ve accomplished this despite the girls team lacking depth and the boys crew being without two of its standouts. Julian Pritchard tore his meniscus and Troy Speare, who’s also a Roosevelt swimming star, suffered a shoulder injury.
“There was some nervousness coming into the season because of that,” Runne said, “but the younger boys stepped in admirably and did well.”
William Celaya, Mathias Brightly, Caden Crocco, Kyle Morris, Juan Merlo, Tyler Curcio, Jorge Espinoza and David Pokora are among the youngsters who’ve delivered for them. They’ve benefit, of course, from the “veteran” leadership of Andros, Eddie Kern, Charlie Kahlenberg, Brady Doherty and coxswain Annika Hietanen.
As well, Runne said, the girls team has thrived with a small but “incredibly talented” core. The girls 4 boat features Stratton, Emma Hunt, Ginny Martinez, Cadence Forster and coxswain Alex Dean. That group, the coach said, has “consistently finished 20 seconds ahead” of competitors in local races.
Claire Andros and Jessica Morris have also been learning how to scull and could eventually become high-level competitors, Runne said.
Runne coaches the team alongside longtime crew coach Harry Harrington, whom Runne called “the driving force of our program.”
In the Dutchess Cup, Roosevelt’s boys first and second 4 boats won their respective races and the boys 8 placed second, giving the Presidents enough points to top Wappingers.
“We’re friendly rivals,” Runne said of Wappingers, which has dominated that event. “We’d been getting second consistently, and we’d talked about making a push for the cup. Getting it this year, when we’ve had to overcome some challenges, is great.”
Wappingers has also won the Hudson Valley Rowing League championship four consecutive years. That event will cap the spring crew season locally, and Roosevelt would love to ascend to that throne.
“I’m incredibly proud of these kids already,” Runne said. “They’ve been putting the work in since February, from lifting weights to training on (ergometers), long before we hit the water. They’ve put in everything they can and that’s all a coach can ask.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Crew: Stratton, Andros among standouts as Roosevelt crew has excelled
Continue reading...
The quality of the portable toilets wasn’t much of a factor, obviously, but the willingness of the Franklin D. Roosevelt High School rowers to share with each other stories of their strange race day experiences was an early indication of their camaraderie.
“We talk about that stuff as much as we do medaling in big events,” coach Andrew Runne said. “Being able to joke around and talk about stuff like that shows how comfortable they with each other as teammates and friends.”
You must be registered for see images attach
Beyond the good vibes, that fellowship has led to improved teamwork and synergy that helped produce one of the better crew seasons in program history.
'Incredibly meaningful': Wappingers dedicates boat to deceased former coach Kerri Roger
Holy water: Lourdes kicks off crew season with customary "Blessing of the Fleet"
Last year: Rhinebeck, Wappingers win Hudson Valley Rowing League titles
They’ve given themselves plenty to talk about, having medaled in several big regattas. Roosevelt earlier this month won the coveted Dutchess Cup, overcoming powerhouse Wappingers, and they went on to have two winners and another boat capture bronze in the state tournament in Saratoga Springs.
You must be registered for see images attach
Sarah Stratton won a state title in the girls single, the freshman earning a berth to the Youth National Championships in Sarasota, Florida in June. The girls freshman 4 took first scholastically, finishing only three-fourths of a second behind a club team for first overall.
As well, the boys freshman 8 placed third among the school teams and qualified for nationals, and the Presidents’ boys junior 4 took fourth scholastically. The boys senior 4 made it to the B finals. Joseph Andros, a junior, also qualified for nationals in the varsity single for a second straight year.
They’ve accomplished this despite the girls team lacking depth and the boys crew being without two of its standouts. Julian Pritchard tore his meniscus and Troy Speare, who’s also a Roosevelt swimming star, suffered a shoulder injury.
You must be registered for see images attach
“There was some nervousness coming into the season because of that,” Runne said, “but the younger boys stepped in admirably and did well.”
William Celaya, Mathias Brightly, Caden Crocco, Kyle Morris, Juan Merlo, Tyler Curcio, Jorge Espinoza and David Pokora are among the youngsters who’ve delivered for them. They’ve benefit, of course, from the “veteran” leadership of Andros, Eddie Kern, Charlie Kahlenberg, Brady Doherty and coxswain Annika Hietanen.
As well, Runne said, the girls team has thrived with a small but “incredibly talented” core. The girls 4 boat features Stratton, Emma Hunt, Ginny Martinez, Cadence Forster and coxswain Alex Dean. That group, the coach said, has “consistently finished 20 seconds ahead” of competitors in local races.
You must be registered for see images attach
Claire Andros and Jessica Morris have also been learning how to scull and could eventually become high-level competitors, Runne said.
Runne coaches the team alongside longtime crew coach Harry Harrington, whom Runne called “the driving force of our program.”
In the Dutchess Cup, Roosevelt’s boys first and second 4 boats won their respective races and the boys 8 placed second, giving the Presidents enough points to top Wappingers.
You must be registered for see images attach
“We’re friendly rivals,” Runne said of Wappingers, which has dominated that event. “We’d been getting second consistently, and we’d talked about making a push for the cup. Getting it this year, when we’ve had to overcome some challenges, is great.”
Wappingers has also won the Hudson Valley Rowing League championship four consecutive years. That event will cap the spring crew season locally, and Roosevelt would love to ascend to that throne.
“I’m incredibly proud of these kids already,” Runne said. “They’ve been putting the work in since February, from lifting weights to training on (ergometers), long before we hit the water. They’ve put in everything they can and that’s all a coach can ask.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Crew: Stratton, Andros among standouts as Roosevelt crew has excelled
Continue reading...
