Inspirational words from Coach Alyssa:

Hey ladies,

I realized that I may not have told most of you that I'm going to be out of town for the next two weeks starting after tomorrow's practice. I'd imagine like most of your kids, I suffer from an inability to look at calendars and didn't realize that my trip was the two weeks before Diamonds. 

As my parting message (which I am sending now because I won't have a chance after tomorrow's practice), I want to call attention to the critical point in the season that we've reached. We've had a long good summer of rowing and our team break is seemingly just around the corner. We're at the point where it's a little bit harder to wake up in the morning, people roll into practice a little bit later, and one end of the boat inevitably stops hearing the coxswain's calls to split to shoulders or get out of the boat.

I like to think of this point (in the spirit of masters rowing) as the last 300 meters of our 1000 meter season. We're at the point where it hurts but something much better is just around the corner--as long as you're willing to commit to eachother, keep your head forward and enjoy the hurt.

I expect that over the next few weeks, we will bring back the focus we started with, that you will make the changes we've been asking for and you will realize that the boat moves better with sensitivity than frustration.

Like Diamonds and Nationals, I expect that this is the point at which you get on the water with such a calm, serious focus that the other crews are embarrassed before you even start the piece. So brace yourself for the last 300--this is where we crush the competition. 

Get excited for practice.

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While it was a hot and dusty weekend there was some good racing to be had at IDR this year. A small but strong group of MW braved the heat, many for two days, and came back with a few of the Schuylkill Navy watches.

According to the race organizer there were 1,200 boats registered, last year there were 1,000 boats. This was an unanticipated 20% increase for IDR. We could tell: Megan had to park the trailer in the middle of the parking lot when they arrived on Friday afternoon because there was no room. The next morning she greatly impressed the race organizers as she deftly backed the trailer into a small spot made for us! We also had boats tucked away in all sorts of places on day 1 since those arriving before us had taken most of the prime spots. Surprisingly,MW did find a shady spot to gather and rest between races.

Racing was hard and fast but also satisfying. The 8+ won a first in an all out battle with the second place boat. It was the first time I had heard Jackie, who kindly agreed to cox, growl and it worked! On the second day Toby took home a first in her single and then another first along with Zuzana in their double. Other boats placed well in their various flights. 

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