Emory Crewsletter Spring 2022

EMORY CREWSLETTER SPRING 2022

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EMORY CREWSLETTER SPRING 2022

IN THIS EDITION UGA ERG SPRINTS

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ROWATHON

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SPRING BREAK

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PERCY PRIEST REGATTA

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SIRA

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STONE MOUNTAIN SCRIMMAGE

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SPRING BANQUET

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ACRA

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ROWERS OF THE SEASON

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS

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February 12 | ATHENS, GA

UGA ERG SPRINTS vs UGA

Anna after hitting her PR

Coach Grant with Ethan, Anna, and Angel

From Left to Right: Sophia, Billy, Gianna, Will

In response to the remote start of the semester, the team hosted a winter break workout points competition to stay in shape. After returning to campus, Emory Crew went head to head against the University of Georgia for erg sprints. First up were the varsity women, with Anna Voss ‘22 taking bronze and achieving a personal record. Gianna Schulp ‘25 raced next in the lightweight women category, coming in second place and securing a silver medal. The varsity men were up next, with Ryan Ruhde ‘23 bringing home another silver medal and the other three Emory men finishing within 0.7 seconds of one another. The novices then completed their first 2ks ever, getting their first taste of the spring sprint season. Coxswains Ally Hom ‘24 and Maren Simchuck ‘24 brought home more hardware in the coxswain 1k with Ally taking gold and Maren taking bronze. Finally, the team split into two four-person relay teams with “Emory A (Grant)” coming in third. If it wasn’t abundantly clear by the team name, Coach Grant hopped back on an erg to relive his glory days amongst the Georgia Dawgs.

Following the morning of erging, the team went to downtown Athens to enjoy lunch before heading back to Atlanta, ready to begin training for 2ks on the water.

Team Photo in Athens

Article by Ally Hom '24

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MARCH 4 | EMORY UNIVERSITY

ROW-A-THON

On a warm March morning, the team woke up eager to erg. After (many) attempts to start a Facebook Livestream, Emory Crew’s annual Row-a-Thon was in full swing. As one of the biggest fundraisers of the year, the team’s goal was to raise $7000, pledging to collectively row 50 meters per $1 donated. For the week leading up to the Row-a-Thon and throughout the event, family, friends, and supporters of Emory Crew were incentivized to donate through a variety of individual and team challenges. These include walking around campus with an oar, getting pied in the face while erging, running through campus in unis, coxswain tossing Coach Grant into the pool, and the fan favorite, shaving the varsity men’s hair. A recap video of all the challenges was posted to the Emory Crew Instagram (@emorycrew) and Facebook (Emory University Crew).

Mac Guintu '25 Gets Dunked

Thanks to the generosity of all Emory Crew’s supporters, the team was able to exceed their goal and raise $7,733. Each novice rowed 10,000 meters and each varsity rowed 15,000 meters to hit the team goal of 386,650 meters. Thank you to everyone who donated and all the team members who completed the challenges. We are so grateful for your contributions and efforts.

Amelia Lawler '24 and Alyssa Colen '25

by Dooley Team members completing their erging challenges

Article by Ally Hom '24

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MARCH 6- 12 | SARASOTA, FL

SPRING BREAK For Spring Break, rowers made their way down to Sarasota, Florida. Practices were held at the Manatee County Rowing boathouse thanks to the coordination of Manoela Dos Santos '24.

Despite the mosquitoes, heat, and occasional torrential downpour, the twice-daily practices improved rowing technique and experience on the scenic Manatee River. Rowers would show up to early morning practices hyped by their van's preferred songs varying from rap to country.

Outside of practices, the team bonded over minigolf, beach outings, and other team activities including skits, board elections, and Buc-ee's pitstops. Lots of great food was consumed, including at our very own Calen MacDonald '22's house! Burnt, bitten, or blistered, the rowers regardless had a blast spending time together in Florida. After the congested van rides back to Emory, the rowers returned ready for some muchneeded rest after a long week of exercise and excitement.

The Novice 8+ gets caught in the rain

The Women's Team poses in their matching tanks

The varsity men row a 4+

The varsity women row an 8+

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MARCH 26 | NASHVILLE, TN

PERCY PRIEST REGATTA

Men's Novice 4+ post race

Women's Varsity B4+ launching

Women's Novice 8+ launching for their first race

In Emory Crew’s first regatta of the season, the team headed up to Nashville, Tennessee to race on Percy Priest Lake. Though the wind and weather weren't the most lenient for the new novices, they managed to tough their way through it and finish without flipping. When not rowing, rowers relaxed and fueled up at the Emory tent on a warm patch of rocks with food and drinks provided by the Voss family.

Although boats clocked in deceivingly fast times, boats had to weather white-capped waves and gusty winds, with most boats going out twice.

By the end of racing, the Varsity Women's two 4+'s placed first and second in the petite finals and the Varsity Men's 4+ placed second in their petite finals. The Novice women's 8+ placed fourth overall and after an abundance of boat photos and team photos, the vans headed to various food establishments in Tennessee, before returning to Emory. This regatta was a great opportunity for rowers to feel how racing a 2k competitively feels and what they should improve for the future.

Photo of the New Board

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APRIL 15-16 | OAK RIDGE, TN

SIRA

In mid-April, Emory Crew team members took a break from studying for finals to race at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championship Regatta. The team made the trek to Oak Ridge early Friday morning. Upon their arrival, they received a phone call from a decievingly calm Coach Sarah, who mentioned the truck (that tows the trailer) may have been a little stuck. After the whole team pushed, dug, and pushed some more, the TCU coach came to the rescue with his *slightly* more capable truck. The truck was successfully recovered with plenty of time to spare for the team to get ready for their races.

The Novice Women’s 4+ was the first to power down the course for their time trial, rowing for the first time in that lineup. The Novice Men’s 4+ immediately followed, with JP Selame ’24 racing for the first time ever. Next up, the Varsity Men’s 4+ and Varsity Women’s 8+ took on the time trials, with both boats cruising past Louisiana State University.

After a brief break, the Women’s Novice 4+ and Men’s Novice 4+ went back out on the race course for their C finals.

Men's Novice 4+ boat returning

Men's Varsity 4+ racing

Saturday morning marked another great day of racing. The Men’s Varsity 4+ raced in their C final and the Women’s Varsity 8+ raced in their grand final. Once again, both boats easily walked away from LSU and came off the water feeling like they had great races.

Although a few team members, unfortunately, fell ill in the week leading up to SIRA and were unable to race, the team concluded the regatta immensely proud of how far they’ve come this year.

Women's Varsity 8+ racing

Article by Ally Hom '24

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APRIL 23 | CHATTANOOGA, TN

STONE MOUNTAIN SCRIMMAGE

Novice Women's 8+ feat.

Coxswain Ginger '24

Novice Men's 4+ feat. Ellie Sweeney Benzon as Coxswain

Varsity Women's 9+ with Anna coxing & Ally and Maren as stern pair

Due to last-minute change in the racing schedule, the team held an intrasquad scrimmage at Stone Mountain The racing began early that morning with traditional lineups. Ryan and Ethan took out a double while the Varsity Women and Novices took out 8+'s. A first-time Novice Men's 4+ launched, perusing the water smoother than expected. During this first round of racing, the different levels were capped to certain speeds and the novices were given a small head start. The lineups then switched to have some end-of-season fun, letting rowers Kat Mico '22, Anna Voss '22, and Ellie Sweeney Benzon '25 cox while the coxswains rowed. The Novices mixed with Varsity, and after a quick lesson for the coxswains on how to row with actual oars, the racing continued as the boats zig-zagged to avoid colliding.

A detour to IHOP to fill up on pancakes (gluten-free ones if you're Ginger) was necessary to refuel before proceeding to clean the boats. The rowers spend the rest of the day derigging, washing, waxing, and re-rigging all the boats thanks to the help of Equipment Chair James Park '25 in the hot Atlanta heat.

Ethan and Ryan Double (2x)

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MAY 1 | EMORY UNIVERSITY

SPRING BANQUET On the last weekend of the semester, the team, coaches, and alumni gathered at Emory’s Campus Life Pavilion to celebrate the end of a fantastic year together. Over a build-your-own taco bar, the team reminisced about the past spring season.

President Will Manca di Villahermosa ‘23 kicked off the afternoon with a welcome speech and introduced the coaches for their remarks. Coach Sarah was up first and led everyone through an exercise to appreciate how far the team had come since the fall. Coach Grant gave the next speech about the potential he sees in the team to continue rebuilding after all the hardships of the pandemic.

The speeches continued with graduating seniors Kat Mico, Calen MacDonald, and Anna Voss, who rowed for all four years at Emory. After recounting their favorite memories and life lessons from their time with Emory Crew, all the seniors were honored with team gifts.

Next up, awards! The coaches presented the Spirit of Emory Crew and Coach’s Award to Ellie Sweeney Benzon and Ginger Lau from the novice team and Billy Martin and Anna Voss from the varsity team. Coach Grant also bestowed the Golden Hammers, for the fastest woman and man, on Anna Voss and Ryan Ruhde. Captains Kat and Ryan capped off the formal festivities with the iconic paper plate awards for every member of the team.

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MAY 1 | EMORY UNIVERSITY

SPRING BANQUET CONT.

The 2022 Spring Award Recipients (Billy Martin in abstentia)

Finally, in typical Emory Crew fashion, the banquet concluded with an abundance of photographs. Team members and coaches alike took full advantage of their nonathletic attire, but no one was as excited as Coach Sarah to get “normal” pictures for once. After (only a few) tears, the team headed back home, already looking forward to even more rowing in the fall and cheering on the ACRA squad!

Tons of photos, including Novice and Varsity Team pics

Article by Ellie Sulser '23

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MAY 20-23| OAK RIDGE,TN

ACRA

Men's Varsity 4+ racing

Anna and Kat show their Emory Pride

For the month of May, seven varsity members spent every waking and non-waking hour together as they trained for the American Collegiate Rowing Association Regatta, also known as ACRA National Championships. After making immense improvements since their last trip up to Oak Ridge for SIRA, the team drove back to Tennessee on Thursday for a weekend full of rowing.

Racing started on Friday afternoon with the Varsity Men’s 4+ heat, where they quickly pulled away from Virginia Tech. The Varsity Women’s 2x raced next in their heat, coming in 4th and securing a spot in the semifinals.

Following a quick break for Panera Bread, the men’s four returned to the race course for their repechage. Spectators would say the highlight of the day was watching Coach Grant ride a bike alongside the four, trying to cheer and watch the live feed from Ally’s coxbox while narrowly missing all the pedestrians.

Coach Grant wishing the Kat and Anna double luck

Saturday brought more racing and more cheering. Emory Crew alumni, family, and friends lined up along the course to ring cowbells and cheer for the team.

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MAY 21-22 | OAK RIDGE,TN

ACRA CONT.

The men’s 4+ hit the course for their C final, preparing for their race by singing sea shanties up to the start line. For senior Calen MacDonald’s last race ever, Emory Crew was able to narrow the margins from previous races and came off the course with big smiles, with the whole boat saying it was the most fun they’ve ever had in a race.

Later that afternoon, the women’s double went out for their semifinal just as the sky started to split and rain started to pour.

Racing right along the shore, the “Kanna” double heard the encouragement of Emory Crew supporters as they raced their way to a spot in the petite final.

Bright and early on Sunday morning, the women’s double went out for their final race of the weekend, season, and their Emory careers. Finishing in fourth place, Kat and Anna came back to the dock with bittersweet tears of joy in their eyes. Overall, the women’s double placed 10th in the country, and the men’s four placed 15th.

Kat and Anna 2x

Emory Crew full of smiles after another great day of racing

After cheering for Emory Crew alumni Phil Lechner ’20 as he raced in the University of California, Irvine Men’s Varsity 8+, the team loaded the trailer, made a pitstop to Buc-ees, and headed back to Atlanta to part ways for the summer.

Men's Varsity 4+ racing their last race of the season

Article by Ally Hom '24

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ROWERS OF THE SEASON NOVICE WOMEN

NOVICE MEN

ELIA HUNT

MAC GUINTU

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Major: Business Administration and PPL Grad year: 2024 Side: Starboard Favorite memory with Emory Crew: Her favorite memory is the van ride karaokes to and from regattas Favorite food: pasta, watermelon, or corn

VARSITY WOMEN MANOELA DOS SANTOS Hometown: Sarasota, Fl Major: Engineering Sciences + Global Health Grad year: 2024 Side: Port Favorite memory with Emory Crew: Definitely the spring break trip and my lit van Favorite food: Anything with rice and beans ❤️

Hometown: Saipan, MP Major: Math and Computer Science Grad year: 2025 Side: Port Favorite memory with Emory Crew: rowing with Mitik Merchant :D Favorite food: rice+whatever Mitik Merchant likes

VARSITY MEN

RYAN RUHDE Hometown: Aurora, IL Major: Psychology Grad year: 2023 Side: Starboard Favorite memory with Emory Crew: Rowing a double with Ethan for two and a half hours at FAYRESASMLFEC and definitely not going under any bridges or cutting off any of the 8s Favorite food: Sushi

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SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS ANNA VOSS

Hometown: a bunch of random cities but she likes to claim Louisville, KY and Marietta, GA the most Major: Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology Our first senior spotlight is for our ex-president, A-nna Ju-ule Vooss. Anna has never been spotted without a smile on her face; not even when the rest of the team disagreed that if people were pasta they would be ravioli. She has a pair of crocs for any situation and was the director & lead actress of the legendary short film: Natural Habitat (look it up on youtube, it’s really good). Anna “the Boss” Voss goes by many names: hips girl, skim girl, slow man, ½ of couple #3, crasketball captain, and lead negotiator with mark ethUn. We are so thankful for everything Anna has done for this team and will miss her as she pursues a PhD (#womeninstem) at UPenn, continuing the Emory Crew president to UPenn grad school pipeline. But don’t fret, if we ever miss her too much, all we have to do is turn on Nickelodeon to see her kick the cameraman (allegedly accidentally).

CALEN MACDONALD

Hometown: somewhere in Florida kinda near the Manatee River Major: Creative Writing & Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology This spotlight is for our *unofficial* illustrious chair of mirth and whimsy. Born out of the marshes of Florida, Calen left his life among the gators to come to the great city of Atlanta, but refused to ever leave Emory’s campus.

Although he is extremely short, he makes up for his lack of height through his ability to ✨creatively✨ write insults and organize spoon (cr)assassins. Notorious for never showing up to practice when needed most, he was often found crocheting on long car rides, trying his best not to topple over, and somehow fitting into the skinniest jeans ever made. We will miss Calen almost as much as he loves rowing, but wish him the best as he continues his education at Cornell University next year.

Article by Ally Hom '24

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KATARINA MICO

KELSEY MARKS

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Major: Human Health Minor: Italian Studies Our next senior spotlight is for the infamous Kat Mico: women’s captain, ex-vice president, ex-treasurer, exassistant treasurer, and Emory Crew historian. Without Kat, Emory Crew traditions, like eating at Carrabbas during spring break, would not have survived the pandemic. The world will never know if Kat was actually an Emory student because rumor has it the ONLY time she was ever spotted on campus was when she had a spoon thrown at her while leaving her 8:30 AM yoga class (iykyk). After graduation, Kat will be eternally butt-scooting her way into small boats; because if history has proven anything, it’s that if Kat quits rowing, she’ll just start again at every new life stage.

Hometown: Charlottesville, VA Major: Business+Industrial Engineering For our next senior spotlight, we’d like to recognize Kelsey Marks, which is easy to do with hair that stands out in every crowd. After descending the hill of the business school every day as the epitome of a #bschoolsnake, Kelsey is often found at Raoul, where they would play D&D with freshmen and take pictures of Calen almost falling over. Although they aren't technically graduating from Emory until 2024, Kelsey will be off to Georgia Tech next year to finish the second half of the dual degree program. It’s clear which Atlanta school she prefers though, as she will make the trek across the city every day just so she can keep living near Emory.

We expect her to make many guest appearances and continue to be our designated crarty parent.

MADDIE TOLBERT

Hometown: Alpharetta, GA Major: International Studies Minor: Environmental Sciences The last senior spotlight shines on Maddie Tolbert, who joined the team this spring for her last semester at Emory!

She is known for photo-documenting everything and is always ready to hype you up. We especially love Maddie for bringing her puppy, Charlie, to the First Annual Yeehaw Row Emory Scrimmage At Stone Mountain Lake Featuring Emory Crew (FAYRESASMLFEC), who became the MVP of Coach Sarah’s launch. Next year, the wind is blowing Maddie to Hawaii, where she will be working in the state government through Americorps.

Aloha!

Article by Ally Hom '24 and Ellie Sulser '23

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Crewsletter brought to you by Alyssa Colen '25 Contributing team members: Ally Hom '24 and Ellie Sulser '23