Summer 2018 Squaring the Blade

A Newsletter for MIT Crew Alumni There are two groups of volunteers Cooley (class of ’05). Thanks to all of Director’s Message whose contribution to the success of you, and especially to Bruce, who will by Tony Kilbridge the program is immense. Our parents’ be missed! group provides food and drinks for I’m happy to report that the crew is in all our races. Their spread at home I’m already looking forward to next fine shape at the end of our 2017-18 races is amazing, but they also per- school year. I believe that MIT crew campaign. All four squads performed form all sorts of heroics on the road. has consolidated the improvements well on the water, and we closed the At Dad Vail this year, Andrea Krikorian it’s made over the past years, and is season with high morale and good (Calvin’s mom) somehow procured a moving forward to a better future. All health. You can find the details of each huge box of subs in the middle of the four squads have identified a com- team’s journey through spring racing regatta chaos, and ran it to the bus as petitive level and a championship later in this issue. Our graduating class we pulled out. For the past few years, of 2018 was unusually large, which this group has been led by MIT alum leaves a big hole for us to fill, but and super-mom Pam Gannon, who is Contents fortunately our recruiting results were stepping down, upon the graduation of good this year. Among our four squads, her son Cam. Thanks for everything, Director’s Message 1 we have 37 recruited freshmen arriving Pam! this fall. The second group is the MIT Crew Fall Race Schedule 2 Our coaching staff, the core of which Alumni Association, whose mission has been together for over a decade, includes alumni engagement and com- New Equipment 3 will return next year nearly intact. munity building, along of course with Sadly, Jeff Forrester, our assistant fund raising. The MITCAA board puts men’s coach, is leaving us in an enormous amount of time behind Spring Recaps to move with his wife Kelsea to Minne- the scenes. One measure of their suc- Open Women 4 sota, where the people are apparently cess is the fact that the number of MIT very nice. Jeff has been an integral crew donors this year is at an all-time Heavy Men 6 member of our staff, and a good friend high. This year marks a transition in Light Women 8 to all of us, for seven years, and we’ll the presidency of the board from Bruce Light Men 10 miss him. Anderson (whose involvement with the crew goes back to the 1960’s), to John Director’s Message Regatta for our other squads, allow available, but we now know that we will Director’s Message our athletes a fighting chance to end have a beautiful new facility to house Continued from p. 1 their seasons with a big win. Also, after our crews, and a new home in which to years of planning and fundraising, build a tradition of winning and excel- regatta where they can succeed. The our completely renovated boathouse lence. Patriot League Championship for our is about to become a reality. I’ll send openweight women, and the Dad Vail along more details on this when they’re Go Tech!

Fall Race Schedule

Head of the Charles (All Squads) October 20-21 Boston, MA Head of the Fish (Heavy Men, Open Women) October 27-28 Saratoga, NY Dartmouth Green Monster (All Squads - Novice Only) November 4 Hanover, NH Foot of the Charles (All Squads) November 10-11 Boston, MA Launch Dedication ers for endowing this unsung hero and New to the Fleet I am honored to be the one driving the for the privilege of riding every day with by Holly Metcalf class of 1963 launch. Thank you Bob the spirits of your great coaches. Vernon, the class of 1963, and all oth- Through the generosity of Bob Vernon, the class of ‘63, and many others, MIT crew now owns a beautiful new launch- -an unsung hero. Through rain, snow and wind it is faithful to the coach. A place of privilege, the launch pulls up alongside its relative, the shell, and a synergy between coach and athlete ignites.

Through their donation, the class of ‘63 honors coaches Erickson, Frailey and Zwart, all who respected the intimacy of those side by side moments. From the launch, they carefully navigated the strengths and inefficiencies of their rowers to create the perfect blend, always respectful of their athletes’ vulnerability. Spring Racing us off in the fall. There were some The V8 and 2V8 made the grand final Open Women tough losses to more experienced at the Patriot League Championship, by Holly Metcalf boats and some surprising wins given both finishing 5th overall, while the V4 our youth. This fall welcomes a strong won the petite final This was a rebuilding year for the senior class with fantastic leadership Women’s Openweight Crew. We were skills. We have a good size senior class a young team and one made up of over to lead the team this fall, including 3 half walk-ons (2 novice walk-ons in the Season Highlights senior captains V8!). The junior class stepped up and led the young team through the winter Our 2V8 beat Georgetown for a first Also joining us will be 10 freshmen months and inspired new people to time in a while, not just once but 2 recruits--one of the largest classes give their all every race in the spring. times. since 2008 The 2018 spring season went better than expected, in spite of graduating 4 At the George Washington Invite, the Abbey Diener, our one graduating se- incredibly strong seniors from our V8 V8 made a spectacular comeback to nior, was named to the Patriot League last spring, with only 1 senior starting beat Georgetown. all star first team and has been nomi- Spring Racing leadership from our young team, even wards that role is paramount. Between Open Women before they set foot on campus this fall. the recruits, and our upperclassmen Continued from p. 4 There is a leadership role for each and leadership, I envision a strong 2019 every woman, whether she realizes it season! I look forward to our team’s nated for the CRCA All America team or not, and that is where the captains’ growth and to sharing with you our commitment to guide each woman to- accomplishments. Six student-athletes were named CRCA Scholar Athletes: Abbey Diener, Chemical Engineering Erica Flear, Chemistry Aigneis Frey, Aerospace Caitlin McCandler, Material Engineer- ing Audrey Pillsbury, Chemistry Vickie Wang, Math

The key to a successful 2019 spring season is the work being done now with our three senior captains: El- lie Brewer, Caitlin McCandler, and Grace Melcher. Together we are going through a 10 week leadership program mapped out in Janssen’s Team Cap- tain’s Leadership Manual, as well as improving our team culture model. Our goal is to enhance our team’s mission-- ”As One” --and encourage and support Spring Racing The team then traveled to Washington, WPI, Williams, and Connecticut Col- Heavy Men D.C. for the George Washington Invita- lege. MIT swept the varsity 8, second by Evan Thews-Wassell tional on April 6th and 7th. On Friday, varsity 8, and varsity 4+ races to cap- the racing conditions on the Potomac ture its fourth straight Donahue Cup. The Tech men entered the River featured mild temperatures but Competing in good conditions with spring season led by a strong group rough water. Hitting the water in the flat water and a slight cross tailwind, of seniors who have been dedicated final race of the day, MIT placed third the Engineers’ varsity 8 and second oarsman over the past four years. The with a time of 5:42.4. Drexel University varsity 8 led their races from the start team consisted of six seniors, two came away with the win in 5:36.80 as and finished with open water margins. juniors, five sophomores, and nine Hobart College finished 1.4 seconds MIT won the V8 in 6:01.8, followed by freshmen. The team consistently raced later. On Saturday, it was 45 degrees WPI (6:07.35) and Williams College a 1V8+, 2V8+ and 3V4+. with a 5-7 mile per hour tailwind and (6:08.02). The Engineers’ 2V8 crossed flat water on the Potomac River. In a the finish line in 6:11.5 as WPI and Wil- The opened their season close race, nationally-ranked No. 17 liams rounded out the field with times on March 24th with a decisive sweep of George Washington completed the of 6:17.6 and 6:25.78, respectively. In the Coast Guard Academy. The 3V4+ 2,000-meter course in 5:40.50, just the varsity 4+ race, MIT trailed Con- race was the first to hit the water. MIT 1.2 seconds ahead of Michigan and necticut College at the halfway mark. clocked a time of 7:33.8 while Coast 3.3 seconds ahead of the Engineers. The Engineers then rowed through the Guard’s “B” boat came in next, 26.7 Unfortunately, because of a sudden field to win by open water in 7:15.9. seconds later, followed by its “A” boat sickness that hit a couple members of WPI finished 10.1 seconds later, fol- which finished in 8:04.9. The Engineers the team, the JV eight was not able to lowed by Connecticut College (7:33.97) continued to cruise in the 2V portion race. and Williams (7:43.44). of the morning as they overpowered On April 14th, the Engineers headed to Competing in sunny and cool condi- the Bears with a 27.5 second victory Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, MA tions on April 21st MIT swept the 8’s (6:31.5 - 6:59.0). MIT completed the to defend the Donahue Cup against events versus Bates and Colgate on sweep when its V8 crossed the finish line in 6:18.5, exactly 23.2 seconds ahead of Coast Guard.

On March 31st, the Alumni Cup against Dartmouth, Columbia, and Holy Cross came to the Charles River. Dartmouth led the Varsity 8 race from the start, se- curing the win with a time of 6:13.351 while Columbia crossed the finish line 6.154 seconds later. The Engineers remained in contact with the leading crews until the 1,000-meter mark. MIT also stayed ahead of Holy Cross throughout the entire race, gaining most of its distance during the first and last 500 meters. The Engineers logged a time of 6:27.947, comfortably ahead of fourth-place Holy Cross (6:34.814). The second varsity 8 event was also won by Dartmouth (6:15.6), followed by Columbia (6:27.5), Holy Cross (6:36.2), and MIT (6:44.5). Spring Racing Competing in the two-day regatta, IRA National Championship. However, Heavy Men the heavyweight men saw its second due to unsafe conditions, Sunday’s Continued from p. 6 varsity 8 and third varsity 4 place fifth races were cancelled. Racing on flat and sixth in their respective grand final water and in calm wind during Friday’s the Charles River. The varsity 8 crews races while the first varsity 8 finished heats, MIT finished third in 6:41.987, started level, but Bates took a one-seat fourth in the petite final. In Friday’s just 2.499 seconds behind Wisconsin, lead by the 400-meter mark. As the time trial, the varsity 8 finished eighth as Princeton won the race in 6:33.193. crews hit their base rates, the Engi- with a time of 5:27.666 seconds, exact- Since only the winner automatically ad- neers pulled even and then steadily ly 2.165 seconds behind fourth-place vanced to the semifinals, the Engineers pulled ahead. The Bobcats pushed Delaware. St. Joseph’s registered the returned to the water for a repechage hard with 600 meters and took back a best time of the day, completing the that afternoon. MIT recorded another few seats. MIT responded with a strong 1,900-meter race in 5:17.680. Later in third-place performance, narrowly finish, helping it retake the lost seats the day, the Engineers finished fourth missing a chance to earn a spot in the and capture the win in 6:28.232. Bates in the semifinals with a time of 5.52.699 A/B semifinals. Trailing Harvard by crossed the finish line 3.288 seconds as Army edged them out by 2.6 sec- open water through 1,000 meters, the later, followed by Colgate (6:33.949). onds. In the petite final on Saturday, Engineers made up ground during the The second varsity 8 race was even MIT crossed the finish line in 5:48.889 last 500 meters but came up 2.318 until Bates jumped a slide and the to place fourth in its heat and 10th seconds short of a second-place finish. Engineers took a couple of seats. MIT overall. Despite a good time, it was not As a result, Tech moved on to the C/D stretched the lead out to open water, quite fast enough in a very strong field. semifinals. In Saturday’s semifinal, however, the Bobcats battled back Army came away with the victory with a MIT and Navy both moved out on the during the last 500 meters. The late time of 5:44.276. The second varsity 8 field early in the race. The Midshipmen surge would not be enough as the En- won its very close time trial in 5:34.059, crossed the finish line in 6:42.713, ex- gineers held on for a two-second win .24 seconds ahead of St. Joseph’s, actly 2.019 seconds ahead of the Engi- (6:33.474 – 6:35.508). Despite racing and .8 seconds ahead of fourth-place neers. Tech, however, held off a strong with a new lineup, the varsity 4+ had a Delaware. The Engineers recorded charge by Marietta to claim the run- solid performance, recording a time of another victory as they edged out ner-up spot, edging out the Pioneers 7:27.028. A 4+ comprised of Colgate’s Virginia by 1.657 seconds (6:00.674 – by .017 seconds. Following two days JV rowers clinched the victory with a 6:02.331) in the semifinals. Racing for of ideal racing conditions, strong winds time of 7:22.530 while Bates was next the Ernie Bayer Trophy on Saturday, and cooler temperatures appeared on in 7:25.901. MIT finished fifth in 5:58.254, capping Sunday. Due to the high winds it was On the 21st, Tech made the long trip off a highly successful season. Tem- determined that it was unsafe to contin- to Baraboo, Wisconsin to race the ple captured the trophy with a time of ue racing, therefore canceling the third University of Wisconsin, Boston Uni- 5:46.884. The 3V4 recorded a time of level final. MIT was slated to compete versity, and the Milwaukee School of 6:31.832, which ranked fifth in Friday’s against Navy, Cornell, Jacksonville, Engineering (MSOE). In the Cochrane time trial and was five seconds behind Marist, and Marietta. Cup races, MIT’s first and second first-place Drexel. MIT then finished Although the season finished on a less boats finished behind Wisconsin and second in its semifinal race as it was than ideal note, the team as a whole BU. Later in the day, however, MIT beat out by Colgate by 5.501 seconds made great strides this spring. Racing returned the favor against MSOE, with (6:56.727 – 7:02.228). In Saturday’s three boats continuously through the both the 1V and 2V beating their 1V by grand final, SUNY Brockport edged out season is a great sign for the teams’ many lengths. The 3V4+ did not travel the Engineers by .649 seconds for fifth depth, especially since the lower boats to Wisconsin, so they raced Boston place, in what was a good showing for were so competitive. As the team College’s 3V mid-week on the Charles, MIT’s boat. Drexel won the event with looks towards next season, it is excited winning easily. a time of 6:44.475. to have such a strong base of rowers, In its final outing of the season, the and look to be even more competitive MIT ended the regular season at the men’s heavyweight varsity 4+ ad- in the 2018/2019 racing season. Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. vanced to the third level final of the Spring Racing Dad Vail grand final of the Lightweight Eight Light Women Lightweight Four earns Silver by Claire Martin-Doyle Double earns Bronze in Openweight Scholar-Athletes event Eleven team members won CRCA and 2018 Season Highlights, Lightweight Varsity Eight takes fifth in Openweight eleven won IRA Scholar Athlete awards Women DI event Novice 4+ advance to semi-final in Individual Accolades Crash-B Openweight event Liz Martin ’18 invited to U23 LW4x Brigid Bane wins division Selection Camp Liz Martin earns bronze in both Open IRA and U23 lightweight divisions V8 earns victory over Wisconsin in the Annika Rollock wins All American Spring Racing Light Women Continued from p. 8

CRCA & IRA Academic Award Winners:

Brigid Bane Kelly Barton Sophie Blackburn Eileen Hu Lucy Milde Jenn Nwenyi Liz Martin Annika Rollock Sylvia Sarnik Kate Scott Chloe Thacker

Varsity Eight Victories:

University of Wisconsin (LW) Bates College (OW) Wellesley College (OW) Wesleyan College (OW) Simmons College (OW) Saint Joseph’s University (OW) Grand Valley State College (OW) Duquesne University (OW) Purdue (OW) Washington College (OW) Middlebury (OW) Case Western (OW) Army (OW) Florida (OW) Marquette (OW) SUNY Geneseo (OW)

Save the Date Please make your plans now to join us for MIT Crew Alumni Day 2018!

October 19, 2017

More information to follow! Spring Racing shut down (Joy Cup and Geiger Cup eight events were cancelled. It was Light Men come to mind), but we always had a disappointing way to end a season by Will Oliver something to work on and a way to that never really seemed to find its feet. get better. We raced a real nailbiter There was some silver lining to our There’s a lot of news to report at the versus Dartmouth in the Biglin Bowl, season in the form of high team morale end of this season. The race results and the guys responded to that near and some national recognition in the may not be the most revelatory, but win with a ton of enthusiasm and drive form of All-American honors. Our team they’re probably the most important to to improve. At Sprints we had hopes claimed 5 IRA Academic All-American convey as we look toward the future. of knocking off Georgetown, and in awards, impressive since we only had We didn’t have a stellar year, all things the heats it seemed highly plausible, 9 eligible athletes. Cameron Doug- considered. The team struggled to with times being very close. In the las, Lee Mount, Katie Sessa, Jeremy find its speed, both on the erg and on final, after a really scrappy start, the Stroming, and Allan Wu all earned the the water; we never cracked the erg speed we needed never materialized, honor. thresholds that we’ve always known to or perhaps Georgetown found a new be important and, with that, the speed gear that we couldn’t match. The guys Looking to the future, we believe the in the boat never materialized either. came off of the water certain that they’d team could benefit greatly from a Our closest race, the San Diego Crew rowed their best race of the season, change in competitive direction. For Classic, where we finished ahead of but we’d come up a bit short. The years, we’ve watched as our compet- Victoria but behind Temple was a high IRA, which we attended in the 4+ and itors have sunk recruiting resources point for the guys. We knew coming 4- presented an opportunity for our top that we can’t match into their programs off of that race that we had a lot of rowers to throw down one last time. In and the result has been a steadily work to do but that there was potential really close heats, both boats moved to increasing difficulty level at our league to improve, and that was kind of the the petite final, and we were hopeful of races. In an effort to put ourselves hallmark feeling of the season. We strong petite final performances. Sadly in a more appropriate competitive had some races where we really got the weather got in the way, and all non- band, next year the lightweight team Spring Racing tive results on the heavyweight men’s the same time, we’re losing a mainstay Light Men team, and, as our ultimate goal will still of our program. Jeff Forrester, assis- Continued from p. 10 be to qualify for IRA, we’ll continue to tant coach for the last seven years, is have the opportunity to race our current leaving us to move to Minnesota with will be joining our heavyweight men competition both during the season his family. He’s already landed a great and lightweight women at the Dad and at the IRA National Championship. position at the University of Minnesota Vail. Far from an attempt to avoid stiff The team is already on board with this as their assistant coach, and we’re competition, we think this puts us in a change, and we’ve already seen a shift really happy we won’t have to compete position to grow the team in a way that in focus and vigor, so all-in-all we’re against the crews he helps train there, will make us more competitive in the looking forward to setting and hopefully as he’ll be coaching the openweight future. Having a wider variety of oppo- reaching new competitive goals start- women. We wish him well in this and nents and a more regular competitive ing next season. all of his future endeavors. A search is racing experience is the first goal, while currently underway for his replacement. down the line we hope that these small To help us on the road to Dad Vail differences will lead to a larger squad domionation, we’re bringing in 11 new With so many changes on the horizon, of happier rowers. Additionally it will recruited athletes next year, one of the it’s a very exciting time for the team. give us an end of season race that we highest numbers our team has ever We hope that you will all come cheer can legitimately set out to win, another achieved. They’re a strong group and us on next season. factor that can only enhance morale. we look forward to introducing them We’ve already seen extremely posi- to MIT and life as a college rower. At Go Tech! Coaching Staff Head Coach, Heavy Men Tony Kilbridge Assistant Coach, Heavy Men Evan Thews-Wassell Head Coach, Light Men Will Oliver Assistant Coach, Light Men Jeff Forrester Head Coach, Open Women Holly Metcalf Assistant Coach, Open Women Hank Zimmerman Head Coach, Light Women Claire Martin-Doyle Assistant Coach, Light Women Amelia Patton

Photos by Igor Belakovskiy & MIT Coaching Staff Edited by Will Oliver