DOC'S 1999 FALL PREVIEW
Doc’s Side : 1999 Fall Preview
It’s hard for me to believe that the McCallie Crew is into its tenth year. Something's have changed; this fall we have thirty experienced rowers as opposed to about the same number of guys who in the fall of ’89 had no clue about rowing. Five coaches are overseeing a total of sixty boys in six eights and two fours. At this point, in the first year, our boats had not even arrived. Those first boats, however are still in service enduring the slings and arrows of another generation of novice oarsmen and coxswains.
Coming into the season McCallie’s experienced people are better prepared than ever. Several of the guys continued to row beyond the end of the school year. Josh Mackler, a senior lightweight, spent two months rowing for a team in St. John’s Newfoundland; Josh did well in the Canada Cup races in early August. Chris Underwood, who was chosen as team captain this year, and junior Anders Swanson were invited to attend the seven week National Rowing Foundation Development Camp coached by Todd Jesdale whose Cincinnati crews won the national championships in both junior men’s and women’s 8’s this spring. Rowing with guys from all over the U.S., the McCallie guys competed at several major regattas including the Independence Day Regatta, U.S. Rowing Club Champions, and the Royal Canadian Henley. Several others including varsity cox, Ashby Graham and Trey Strausberger took up sculling to improve their skills. Early practices and erg tests seem to show that we will have a good deal of competition for seats in the Varsity and Junior Varsity 8’s. That’s not a bad thing since it pushes people to win and keep a seat.
I am pleased with our staff this year. Dan Beery is back from last year after another summer rowing a Penn. A.C. and cracking the magic six minute barrier for a 2k erg test. Dan is again helping me with the experienced boats. He brought with him Sean McCourt who also rowed out of Penn. A.C. and the Princeton Training Center; Sean is coaching the novices with the able assistance of Pete Carroll and Abigail Roberts. Pete rowed at McCallie and went on to make the varsity 8 at Columbia. Abbie is teaching Latin and is learning the ropes of coaching crew. It’s great for me to have four energetic and talented people to coach with.
Our fall schedule is the same as it has been for the last several years. What is new is that this year McCallie and G.P.S. (McCGPS Crew) will be defending the all points championships in all three of our regattas.
Chattanooga Head Race October 9
Head of the Tennessee October 23
Head of the Chattahoochie November 6
I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen so far. If the team learns how to row well, gets it good shape, learns to work together and has some fun along the way, I think we will win our share of medals.