4 minute read
Coach Brevick Reflects On the Season
from Summer 2023
by Cougar Crew
At every season’s end, I see events and outcomes I couldn’t imagine on day one—some negative, some positive. This year’s setbacks were tough, so the successes were twice as satisfying.
In fall 2021, eight experienced rowers returned. Two recruits were experienced, so a core of 10 athletes was our start to the post-Covid rebuild. Last fall, we had 17 returning rowers, including five from the 2021–2022 MV8+. The additional experience improved our performance metrics on the ergs and on the water. On several practice days we boated six eights—great to see and a big boost to morale. We had graduated some great teammates, including the first coxswain Commodore, and an ergometer record setter, but I could feel the optimism rising.
Momentum took a hit with illness and injury, so fall 2022 racing was not as good as we hoped. Come spring, lingering injuries took two athletes out for the season. A third oar, Don Kelly, returned to training only days before departure for Oak Ridge.
The first few races of the year were solid but subdued performances. As the season progressed, speed improved gradually in both our training and racing. Enthusiasm and energy were high as we made final preparations for ACRA 2023.
Climbing the ladder
We treat each race as a step on the ladder, aiming to peak at ACRAs. This season we executed to plan.
ACRAs began with a time trial Friday morning. The MV8+ expected to be in the reps, same as last year. A solid performance in the repechage led to the A/B Semifinals on Saturday. Unlike last year’s Semifinal, we were in the mix early, and while we missed the Grand Final, finishing ahead of Purdue and Orange Coast had us looking forward to the Petite Final.
In Sunday’s Petite Final, we were a little slow off the stake boat, but the crew did a great job trusting themselves and each other and moved steadily through the field for a really strong second place finish at 6:03.124, just ¾ second behind Bucknell. I am confident Paul Enquist’s talk in Smith Hall had an impact on this race. With just three athletes returning, this year’s MV8+ jumped four places (from 12th to 8th) over last year. The crew and the team are very proud of that performance.
Three things to celebrate
We had more strong results during the weekend, as you will read in Mike Klier’s look at our small boats. I was particularly proud of the varsity eight for three reasons.
First, the speed of our fastest boat is a testament to the work and speed demonstrated by ALL our student-athletes, rowers and coxswains alike. The admirable performance of the MV8+ in the Petite Final was evidence of the growing depth of the squad.
Second, the positive attitude and support for the team from our three injured varsity oars was inspirational. Their seasons were terribly compromised, but they continued to give their best at practices and as team leaders throughout the season.
Third, leadership from our fourth-year seniors was exceptional. Don Kelly, Mark Walker-Rittgers, and Sean Swett started rowing in the fall of 2019. Six months in, the pandemic struck. For three plus years, all three of them led the team with their energy, attitudes, hard-earned strength and stamina. Whether they were offering support on the water, sharing their perspective in after-practice debriefings, shouting encouragement during an erg workout, or just leading by example, they set a high standard through some of the most difficult years in team history. I have great respect for every rower and coxswain that has earned the privilege of representing WSU. I have an extra level of respect for these three.
To everyone that raced for WSU this year, thank you for your effort and dedication! To Sean, Mark, and Don, thank you for leading so well through such challenging circumstances. To the alumni and supporters of Cougar Crew, I speak for the entire team when I say thank you! What we do would be impossible without your steadfast and generous support. On to 2023–2024, and as always, Go Cougs!
