Emory Crewsletter Spring/Summer 2023

EMORY CREWSLETTER

SPRING/SUMMER 2023

In This Edition:

Red/Black Erg Sprints

Spring Break

John Ferriss Lanier Sprints

SIRAs

ACRAs

Spring Banquet

Senior Spotlights

Produced by: Chrisabella Javier

RED/BLACK SPRINTS

The first event of the year was the Red and Black Erg Sprints, between Emory Crew and UGA, hosted in beautiful Athens, Georgia. The day started off with the Varsity Women going head to head in two intense heats, before the Varsity Men had their turn. Clinching silver and bronze in the event was freshman Charlie Ralgona and junior Ethan Bends. Next, the novices prepared for their first 2k ever on the erg, with sophomore Kate Siegel grabbing silver in the Novice Women's event. Off the adrenaline of these events were the Lightweight Men's, followed by the classic Coxswain 1k. Emory's own Ally Hom handily won the event, with senior Olivia Ralston grabbing third to fill the podium out.

Finally, the team relay began. Three Emory teams and three UGA teams battled head to head, along with a special coach's relay going head to head as well. After an intense seven minutes, the event was over, and Emory had won the relay.

A long day of erging was followed the best way any day could end: a trip to Raising Cane's and a nice road trip back to Atlanta.

SPRING BREAK

Greetings from Sarasota!

Spring training was held with the help and support of Mantee County Youth Rowing, which let us use their boathouse for the week.

We had a great time grinding on the Manatee River (which does, in fact, have manatees), spending our days hard at work while enjoying the Florida sights by night.

After a week in the salty river and the hot sun, we had to head back home, but we were ready to take the plunge into the sprints this season!

John Ferriss Lanier Sprints

For the first races of the year, we drove out to Gainsville, Georgia to Lake Lanier, for the John Ferriss Lanier Sprints. The day started off with rain, and then with the Men's Varsity 8+ rowing their way into the grand finals, followed by both Women's Varsity 4+ boats facing each other in the grand finals as well. The men then jumped to their next race, splitting into fours for the Men's Varsity 4+.

The novices got ready for their first race on the water, with the Novice Women's 4+ earning their way to the afternoon's grand finals as well.

The afternoon gave way to incredibly windy conditions, delaying each race. Despite the headwinds, the team pressed on, winning bronze in the Varsity Women's 4+ before heading home, ready to relax but not ready to rest just yet.

John Ferriss Lanier Sprints

APR.15TH-16TH 2023

We drove up for a weekend in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for a nice few days racing in SIRAs!

Saturday's time trials started off with the Men's 2-, with sophomores James Park and Billy Martin pairing up, followed by the novice men and women rowing into their semis. The men ' s varsity 4+ was next, followed by the women ' s 8+, eager to start going head to head in their races that afternoon.

Saturday afternoon brought semifinal races, with everyone ready to leave all they had that day before resting up for the inevitable finals of tomorrow. The end of Saturday was marked by a large, teamwide meal and a nice, long rest.

The cool, Tennessee weather kept us looking for love and glory at this regatta. The boats left everything they had on the water on Sunday morning, with this being the last race of the season for much of the novices. And once all was said and done, we took the winding road back home to Atlanta, heading headfirst into the final stretch, both of the school year and of the season.

ACRAs

ACRA was what this whole semester was waiting for. As we left the post-semester haze to head back to Oak Ridge, competing against the rest of the nation, this three day regatta had our blood flowing. Friday morning started with the Men's Varsity 4+ time trials and the Women's 4+ heats, with senior Megan Halverson racing a single for the first time in her heat.

This was followed by the repechage for the Men's 4+, the Women's 4+, and rest for Saturday's semifinals and finals.

As Saturday morning arrived, Megan pushed through her final race of the reason, while everyone else in their fours pushed through the semis, determined to make it to Sunday, and send off this season in the best way they can.

And Sunday came, with everyone ready to make this the best race they've ever done, and send off the varsity seniors with a bang. As the sights of Oak Ridge passed them on the course, the season ended, we hung our banners, and we looked back at the great year we had behind us.

spring banquet

What better way to end the school year with a banquet, celebrating everything we ' ve done, and everything we ' re working towards?

On Emory's campus, in the beautiful Student Life Pavilion, the team met up in the midst of finals to unwind in the sun, eat good food, and celebrate each other. Custom picture frames were presented to each of the graduating seniors, as well as good wishes for what they planned to do next. Speaking of things that come next after their college and team life, some Emory Crew alumni came, whom had rowed with our own Coach Connor back when he was a student here at Emory. Awards were handed out by our coaches, who too, were gifted for everything that they had done for us this season. They honored the people who put the most in this season, on the water, on the erg, and as part of the team, keeping us together even when things started to get tough. These included certificates and, of course, the iconic golden hammers for senior Ryan Ruhde and sophomore Kate Siegel.

The spring and summer ' s drawing to a close, but we at Emory Crew just want to say, once again, just how thankful we are to all of our alumni, family, and other supporters. We couldn't get this team kicking without all your support, and as the fall approaches, we still cannot thank all of you enough for what you ' ve given us.

Senior Spotlights!

Will Manca di Villahermosa

Over the years, Will has been not just incredibly devoted to Emory Crew as a rower, but also as a teammate, and an important member of the board over the years, including spearheading the effort to rebuild our boathouse after the pandemic. Good luck!

Joe Owens

Joining the team as a novice this year, Joe quickly proved himself and his skill, not just on the water but on the trails as well, joining the team in running events and pushing his boat through every wake and race there was. Good luck!

Ryan Ruhde

Always putting the most into everything he does, over the years he's been part of Emory Crew, Ryan's always proven himself as dependable, multitalented, and someone who can power his team through anything. Good luck!