2022 NAC Women’s Rowing Program by NAC Rowing

NAC Women’s Rowing

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LETTER FROM THE COACH

COACHES’ BIOS

HEAD OF THE CHARLES REGATTA

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

SUPER SUPERLATIVES

SEASON AT A GLANCE

06 10

WHAT DOES THE COXSWAIN SAY?

REGIONALS’ RECAP

2022 ROSTER

SENIOR DESTINATIONS

Special thanks to super-volunteer and exceptional photographer Thomas Hauge for taking photos of the NAC program, including the roster photos found in this magazine.

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Glossary of Rowing Terms: Bow: The forward section of the shell. The first part of the shell to cross the finish line. Deck: The part of the shell at the bow and stern that is covered with fiberglass cloth or a thin plastic. Feather the Blade: When the oar’s blade is parallel to the water.

To my Athletes, Four years ago, I came into the role of Women’s Varsity Head Coach with really ambitious goals. I thought to myself, “I’m just gonna coach Rowing like I learned it as a guy, and just how I taught it to the guys I’d previously worked with.” Good technique, high levels of fitness and mental toughness. The formula for a fast athlete was simple to me and I thought if the girls do this, we will win everything. It was pretty quick into that first season when I realized that the programming was really the easy part of coaching; teaching the proper rowing stroke (especially to girls who learn so much faster), making the training plan, and running a practice well. The hard part was motivating, connecting with the girls and understanding what made them want to work hard… what made them excited to come to practice. Admittedly, I struggled really hard that first year trying to figure out how to make a team function well, how to make boats go fast, and how to keep athletes and parents happy. It wasn’t easy. Somewhere in that struggle, I was recCONTINUED ON PAGE 43

Foot-Board / Foot-Stretcher: Where the rower’s feet go. Consists of two inclined footrests that hold the rower’s shoes. Head Race: Races usually in the fall when each crew is started in their respective divisions separately at 10 second intervals. Usually conducted on a river with an assortment of bridges and turns. The winner is the crew that had the shortest time elapsed between the start and finish lines, with any additional time included for penalties. Hold Water: When a rower squares the blade in the water to stop the boat. Pin: The fulcrum of the oar. Port: Left side of the shell, while facing bow / in the direction of movement. Repechage: When the crews who have failed to qualify for a semi or final in the heats get another chance to race for a qualification spot. Rigger: The triangular shaped metal device that is bolted onto the side of the boat and holds the oars. Run: The distance the shell moves during one stroke. You can figure it out by looking for the distance between the puddles made by the same oar.

Sculling: When rowers use two oars each. Sweeping: When rowers use one oar each. Shell: Can be used interchangeably with boat. Slide: The tracks for the wheels of each seat in the shell. Starboard: Right side of the shell, while facing bow / in the direction of movement. Stern: The rear of the shell; the direction the rowers are facing. Straight: Refers to a shell without a coxswain. Stroke: The rower who sits closest to the stern. The stroke seat sets the rhythm that the rowers behind them must follow. Stroke Coach: A small electronic display that rowers attach in the shell to show racing information like stroke rate, split, time, and distance. Stroke Rate: The number of strokes taken per one minute. Split: A time that tells how many minutes and seconds it will take to row 500 meters at the rower’s current speed. Square the Blade: When the rowers rotate the oar handle 90 degrees so the blade is perpendicular with the water. Swing: The hard-to-define feeling when near-perfect synchronization of motion occurs in the shell, enhancing the performance and speed.

Spotlight

ISABELLE VARTANIAN

KATE GALVIN

How many years have you been rowing? 4

Your Position? Starboard

Your Position? Port

What are your plans after high school? Rowing at UCSD

What are your plans after high school? Studying engineering or computer science at LMU

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Talent show What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Nationals 2021 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Trust the process and work hard and you will inevitably end up where you want to be

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What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? All the practices where dolphins followed by our side as we rowed What was your favorite race in your NAC career? San Diego Crew Classic 2019 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Appreciate how beautiful the sport is and make the most of every practice

ELIANA POSIN

CHLOE ZOLLMAN

SHEYA LAVIN

How many years have you been rowing? 4

Your Position? Starboard

Your Position? Port

What are your plans after high school? I’m going to go to UC Berkeley

What are your plans after high school? I’m rowing at Duke University

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Meeting the entire team and re-falling in love with rowing. Being brand new was scary, but I realize I finally found my new home

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? The Catalina trip

What are your plans after high school? Rowing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (go Vols)

What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Probably Christmas Regatta :) full of energy and excitement, even for the short race

What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Love every day because it goes by so fast

What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Always support your teammates, and they will support you. Even saying a simple “good job on that piece” will go a long way

What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Head of the Charles 2021

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Whole Foods runs What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Head of the Charles 2021 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Go to all the optional workouts and really invest in the program. The more you put in the more you get out

Spotlight

HALEY DO

KATY KENNEFICK

ANNIE BUDA

How many years have you been rowing? 4

How many years have you been rowing? 2

Your Position? Port

Your Position? Starboard

Your Position? Port

What are your plans after high school? I will be rowing at Loyola Marymount University in sunny Los Angeles!

What are your plans after high school? Row D1 at the University of Alabama

What are your plans after high school? I will be rowing at Columbia University and studying English and Comparative Literature

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? I will especially cherish our senior class dressing up as Pitbull for class day What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Head of the Charles 2021 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Look around you. Welcome to your new family. You will soon realize that you will do anything for them and they will do the same for you

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What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? 9 by 2k!!!!!! jk. All the Saturday after-practice breakfasts. Never a dull moment What was your favorite race in your NAC career? OKC Regionals in the Novice 8 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Enjoy and be present in every moment, it all goes by so fast

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Taking ice baths at nationals 2021 What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Head of the Charles 2021 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Trust the process. The hard work will make you a stronger athlete and a stronger person

KAT METCALF

NATALY MARCIANO

MERIELLE BILLYOU PALMER

How many years have you been rowing? 2

How many years have you been rowing? 4

Your Position? Starboard

What are your plans after high school? Fashion School at Istituto Marangoni, London

What are your plans after high school? Rowing at Colgate University in New York What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Friendsgiving or breakfast after morning practice What was your favorite race in your NAC career? The Novice 8 from Regionals in Oklahoma in 2021 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? The coaching staff is extremely invested in creating amazing rowers and people. Take advantage of everything available to you and know there is always a chance or work harder and get better

Your Position? Starboard

What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Getting the entire team to eventually get my famous smoothie. Shelby and I are the queens of them and we love introducing everyone to Andrew so that he can make us our secret smoothies so we keep getting our gains! What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Nationals 2021. It was super fun getting to travel and being in the straight 4was very exciting and a great opportunity to show that we can be the underdogs What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Try to come up with your reason as to why you like rowing and find your purpose. It will help you constantly push yourself to work harder to achieve any of the goals that you want. NAC will be your second family and will be there no matter what in the end. Just try to make those connections and bonds with the athletes and then being at NAC will be the best experience. Always remember to step out of your comfort zone and never feel like you need to try to be someone else to fit in.

Your Position? Starboard What are your plans after high school? Rowing at Wellesley College What is your favorite (non-race) NAC memory? Team holiday parties What was your favorite race in your NAC career? Faultline Faceoff 2020 What “words of wisdom” do you have for future rowers? Embrace the hard parts since there’s always a reward

Feature Story

WHAT DOES THE

COXSWAIN SAY? 10

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Watching football games when the quarterback is “Mic’d Up” is so much fun. You learn interesting details about the game and how fast it moves. The more seasoned the QB, the more they can, and will, change the play from the line of scrimmage by calling an audible. “Omaha. Omaha.” - depending on how it’s said, could be a subtle change in the snap count. Or, “Red 23. Red 23.” - might change

Hannah Hykes and Taryn Graves

Two of NAC’s Coxswains tell us what they say. “Hands On” “ Let’s go up an inch and out, ready up” “Show sides and split.” “Walk it forward” “Bow swing right - side step it down to the water” “Up and over heads, ready-up” “ And slowly roll down… ready… down!”

the play from a pass to a run, because the defense is lined up in a certain way. If you attend a regatta, you might notice another type of quarterback. The coxswain. Like a QB, there is only one of them. They are typically a smaller athlete (by comparison to the rowers) who plays a GIANT ROLE by calling and changing “plays” during the race.

“And that’s just to get the boat in the water,” Hannah Hykes, the junior coxswain from Corona del Mar High School says. Once the race starts, so does the instruction. “We have a race plan for each race,” Taryn Graves, the sophomore coxswain from Newport Harbor High School says. “Usually we internalize and ‘row our race’ for the first 500 meters. Once we hit 500 meters, I will see where we are compared to the other boats and announce our first power move, like a hard 10, for acceleration.” Hannah elaborates, “I’ll let the team know if we’re missing water or need sharper catches throughout the race. The rowers can feel it on their own, but the boat needs someone to call it out so

Hannah Hykes (11th grade) and Taryn Graves (10th grade).

everyone can make the necessary changes at the same time.” When asked how to keep the rowers motivated and giving that extra effort needed in the hard 10 power move, Hannah gave a few examples. “I like to call the rowers out by name. I’ll say something like ‘Sheya’s going for it!’ or ‘Annie’s sending it!’ or ‘Charlotte’s leaning on it!’ - I think the rowers like to hear their names when they are catching good strokes.” Taryn tells me that when calling boat placement, she likes to “stay positive” and when timing is right, build her crew up to go for a power move if they are down on another crew or want to extend the lead. She says her boat generally paces at a “base rate of 36 or 37” for the bulk of the piece. To finish out the race, Taryn says that “the best way to go for a sprint without burning out is to first sprint with pressure around the 300 meters left”. Once the pressure goes up, she makes the call to begin to bring the rate up. Once they hit the 100 meters left, she calls for a “blackout” and “watt test” until their bow ball crosses the finish line. These are things the coxswain says.

Roster

Banta, Kiana Newport Harbor • 9th

Banta, Michaela Newport Harbor • 11th

Bertoia , Gabby Corona del Mar • 9th

Bertoldi, Liliana Foothill • 10th

Besikof, Talia St. Margaret’s • 11th

Billyou Palmer, Merielle St. Margaret’s • 12th

Brown, Lauren Edge Academy • 11th

Brown, Regan Orange Lutheran • 10th

Buda, Annie Orange Lutheran • 12th

Channell, Julia Huntington Beach • 10th

Clark, Millie Corona del Mar • 11th

Cox, Keira San Juan Hills • 10th

Crowther, Brianna Huntington Beach • 9th

Do, Haley University • 12th

Dosier, Charlotte Huntington Beach • 10th

Doyle, Delaney Ensign MS • 8th

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Galipeau, Grace Corona del Mar • 9th

Galvin, Kate Corona del Mar • 12th

Graves, Taryn Newport Harbor • 10th

Haney, Amelia Mater Dei • 10th

Harris, Sydney Huntington Beach • 10th

Hykes, Hannah Corona del Mar • 11th

Jardim, Addie Newport Harbor • 10th

Javid, Iliana Mater Dei • 10th

Johnson, Brooke Pacifica Christian • 11th

Kennefick, Katy Huntington Beach • 12th

Krost, Connor Corona del Mar • 9th

Lavin, Sheya Newport Harbor • 12th

Marciano, Nataly TVT • 12th

Metcalf, Kat Newport Harbor • 12th

Nelson, Cecilia Pacifica Christian • 9th

Nowak, Kate Corona del Mar • 10th

Roster

Odeen, Kat Corona del Mar • 11th

O’Neil, Amelia Newport Harbor • 10th

Pense, Sophie Santa Margarita • 11th

Porter, Sarah Newport Harbor • 11th

Posin, Eliana Corona del Mar • 12th

Rader, Caroline Crean Lutheran • 10th

Roham, Bita Newport Harbor • 9th

Schneider, Sabina Sage Hill • 10th

Sorenson, Chloe San Juan Hills • 10th

Spitz, Vivi Newport Harbor • 11th

Srinivasan, Ruby Corona del Mar • 11th

Stratton, Maddie San Juan Hills • 9th

Thomas, Jo Newport Harbor • 10th

Todd, Allison Newport Harbor • 11th

Uy, Amanda Calvary Chapel • 9th

Van Oostendorp, Phoenix Newport Harbor • 9th

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Vartanian, Isabelle St. Margaret’s • 12th

Viala, Katherine Stanford Online • 11th

Wilson, Olivia Foothill • 10th

NAC Women’s Rowing

Zollman, Chloe Newport Harbor • 12th

Coaches’ Bios U-17 Head Coach and Team Do Everything

JANET CHEUNG

Janet is from Chula Vista, CA and her love for rowing began at University of the Pacific as a walk-on coxswain. During her six years with Pacific Rowing and its community program, Deep Water Rowing, she was an Assistant Coach for middle school, junior and masters rowing, as well as, Team Manager, Regatta Director and Recruitment Coordinator. From 2014 to 2018, Janet coached UC Irvine’s Men’s Novice and Lightweight crews and her contribution led to the most entries, most grand final contestants and most medals awarded to-date at regionals (WIRA) and nationals (ACRA) by UCI in its 50+ year history. Her first season with NAC, though interrupted by COVID-19, was a wonderful experience in Junior rowing and paved the way for a segue from coaching Varsity Women to coaching Novice and U17 athletes. Fostering a passion for the sport of rowing has always been the focus of her coaching philosophy, including applying the skills and lessons learned to face any of life’s obstacles. Approaching her fourth season, she hopes to continue to build and grow NAC Women’s Rowing alongside a talented coaching staff as she enters her 16th year in the sport.

Assistant Coach Cody has been coaching for 10 years and came to coach the NAC Women in the fall of 2018. He is known for his perfectly-timed one-liners and impressively large collection of Vans. But more importantly, Cody is an integral member of the NAC Women’s program. Cody has coached at a variety of levels, including middle school, high school (novice and varsity), collegiate and masters. To no one’s surprise, his favorite athletes to coach are the NAC Women. Cody’s dedication and drive has made him an incredibly effective coach who is valued greatly by his athletes and fellow coaches. His rowers recognize him as very knowledgeable and well read. It is not uncommon to see multiple coaching and rowing books open on his desk alongside his coffee from Kean. If you ever need an in-depth explanation of a technical rowing concept, go see Cody.

CODY SILVESTER

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Head Coach

GARRETT PICKARD

Garrett Pickard is entering his 10th as a coach at NAC, and 4th year in his current position as Head Coach of the Varsity Women’s team. Garrett is a graduate of Newport Harbor High School where he rowed at NAC. As a rower, his boat was undefeated in the 2009 season. The Lwt 8+ took first place at CAL CUP 1 and 2, Redwood Invite, Crew Classic, SWJRC, and Youth National Championships. Of his National Championship winning 8+ Garrett was given the Coach’s Award. After NAC, Garrett rowed at Orange Coast College where he was the Varsity Captain and 2x WIRA Champion. Garrett transferred to the University of Washington to compete as Husky oarsman for the 2013 fall season. He graduated from UW with a degree in Biological Oceanography in 2015. After finishing school Garrett traveled Australia and Southeast Asia for just over a year, surfing, diving, fishing and hiking. After he returned back to the states, Garrett returned to coaching at the NAC, but made the transition to the Girls team where he has happily been since. When Garrett is not watching rowing he is probably off staring at some birds in the estuary.

2nd Assistant Coach

MADISON BYRD

This is Madison’s 1st year coaching and she’s excited to be at NAC for the beginning of her coaching career. A native from Indiana, Madison played indoor and beach volleyball in high school. She quickly changed paths when she arrived on campus at The University of Michigan and tried out for the Women’s Rowing team. After competing in her first collegiate rowing season, she realized there was something else tall girls could be good at and never turned back. While at Michigan, Madison was a two-time team captain, back-to-back BigTen Champion, finished 3rd in the 1V8 at the 2019 NCAA championships, 4th in the 1V8 at the 2021 NCAA championships, and was a 3-time All-American. She is the biggest Michigan fan you will ever meet. In her free time, Madison enjoys trail runs and hikes, jumping in the ocean whenever she can and going to church on Sunday mornings with her sister. She is an avid reader and writer and puts much of that passion to use as a parttime copywriter for a marketing agency. She misses her Indiana corn fields, but doesn’t plan on leaving the sunny California beaches anytime soon!

Super

Superlatives Annie

Best Dressed

Millie

Most Intelligent

Kate

Class Clown

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Isabelle and Vivi

Grace

(Dumb and Dumber) Dynamic Duo

Most Likely to become US President

Sheya

Most Likely to Coach at NAC Someday

Katy

Heard from a Mile Away

Chloe

Most Likely to go to the Olympics

Regionals’ Recap

May 6-8, 2022

Southwest Regional Championships

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ROAD TRIP

THURSDAY, MAY 5TH 3:15 a.m. wake-up call and all hands on deck by 3:45 a.m. to load the bus and head 450 miles due North - Interstate 5 to Gold River, CA.

TIME TRIALS

FRIDAY, MAY 6TH The stage was set. The 2022 Southwest Junior Regional Championships at Lake Natoma in Sacramento had extra buildup as it had been three years since the last event. The NAC Women arrived with a very fast crew, and the team did not disappoint on Friday’s time trials. Instead of racing against other crews in a heat to determine your lane and seed for the semi, “time trials” are when each crew races on their own, sent one by one down the course. In a time trial, you’re just racing against the clock.

JV8 Boat - Haley Do, Isabelle Vartanian, Julia Channell, Elle Posin, Sydney Harris, Michaela Banta, Olivia Wilson, Nataly Marciano, and coxswain Taryn Graves.

Regionals’ Recap

Out of the time trials, the V8 posted the second fastest time in their event, the JV did the same, the 3V finished 5th in the JV category, the U17 A had the 4th fastest time for their category and the U17 B finished 3rd in theirs, advancing them straight to a final on Sunday. The small boats had a fast Friday as well. The women’s quad finished 3rd in their time trial, the coxed 4+ finished 5th in theirs, the Zollman straight 4- had the second fastest time, and the Marciano straight 4- fell into the 9th slot for their time trial.

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The second coxed 4+, stroked by Kat Metcalf, finished 5th in their time trial and advanced straight to the final on Sunday.

SEMI-FINAL RACES SATURDAY, MAY 7TH

Head-to-head competition started off with a bang with the V8 taking first place in their heat.

Left to right: Seniors - Kat Metcalf, Haley Do, Chloe Zollman, Merielle Billyou Palmer, Nataly Marciano, Sheya Lavin, Eliana Posin, Isabelle Vartanian, Annie Buda, Katy Kennefick.

The JV would yet again match their performance, also taking 1st in their semi-final race. The 3V, with possibly the best race of the day, squeaked out a 3rd place finish in the other JV semi-final, claiming the last spot for the JV final on Sunday. The U17 A boat finished 2nd in their

semi-final heat, good enough to advance to Sunday’s final. The small boats showed up with consistent speed on Saturday, some bringing even more to the table. The women’s quad had an impressive first place finish in their semi, advancing to the final on Sunday. The women’s coxed 4+ finished second in their semi, moving onto the final. The Marciano straight 4- had a rough second half, missing a qualifying spot for the final. And the Zollman straight 4- had an incredible race to round out the day for NAC, walking on the field in the last 350 meters, clinching a come-from-behind 1st place finish.

THE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS SUNDAY, MAY 8TH

The elements showed up on Sunday making it a chilly and windy raceday. The V8 raced first for the women’s

Top: V8 Boat Vivi Spitz, Sheya Lavin, Charlotte Dosier, Ruby Srinivasan, Chloe Zollman, Annie Buda, Kat Odeen, Millie Clark, and coxswain Hannah Hykes. Left: Coach Garrett watches the V8 Boat.

program, coming in second to rival/nemesis Marin Rowing Association. 2nd place secures the bid for Nationals in Florida where they will meet their rivals again. The JV also finished second to Marin in their final, but by a little smaller of a margin, also claiming a bid for Nationals. The 3V raced in the same final as the JV, being the last 3V in the region left standing on Sunday but coming in last. The U17 A came in 4th in their final, qualifying for Nationals. The U17 B 8 finished 3rd, taking home

a bronze medal for themselves. The women’s quad would be the only small boat to race in a final for NAC on Sunday, taking 3rd place. All other races were canceled due to extreme winds (shoot), and medals were awarded, by default, to the top 3 times posted in each event on Saturday in their semi-final races. Even with the weather cutting Sunday’s races short, a good time was had by all and the NAC Women certainly put their mark on the 2022 Regionals. Florida (Nationals)... here we come!

Senior Destinations 1

UC BERKELEY

2,3

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

UC SAN DIEGO

COLGATE UNIVERSITY

WELLESLEY COLLEGE

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

2,3 4

DUKE UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA

ISTITUTO MARANGONI, LONDON

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Where in the world?

The 11 seniors of the 2022 class will be attending colleges all across the U.S. (and one across the pond) this fall. Can you remember which senior is going where? To see the answers, check out the senior spotlights on pages 6-9. Good luck!

8 9

England

October 22-24, 2021

Head of the Charles Regatta “All the Trader Joe’s runs, Don Blessing, ‘oars clanking’, candids, Charles jokes, amazing race day performance, and even the weird vegan food made this one of my all time favorite races. Best weekend with the best people.” —Sheya Lavin

“I had never experienced anything like it before. Racing with my best friends on such an exciting course and doing so well was awesome. Hands down the best four days of 2021.” —Michaela Banta

“Pink nails are all you need for speed.” —Kat Odeen

“Head of the Charles is one of my all time favorite memories because not only did we medal, but we made unforgettable memories, all while setting a new standard of success for this season. The whole team was involved in this experience, not just the 9 girls that raced in Boston. We all trained and pushed each other in the summer and continued to do so after Charles. We proved that time after time the work we put in is the success we get out, and there has been a lot of work put in.” —Haley Do

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“I can sum it up in three words: Charles. Speed. Chicken Joe.” —Charlotte Dosier

“The Head of the Charles was super fun and a cool experience. There were so many boats and people there. Boston is a really cool city and rowing on the Charles river was super pretty. Our race was eventful but we pushed through and did really well. It was definitely one of my favorite races!” —Hannah Hykes

“The Charles was definitely one of the best races I’ve been to, not only because of the actual size and hype of the race but it was so fun to race with such amazing girls.” —Chloe Zollman

“I will never forget two things from Charles: 1. The feeling of pure grit in the boat and our ability to walk through so many crews, 2. The post-race waffles” —Annie Buda

“I have been really fortunate to have done some really awesome things in my life. Hiking Havasupai, student exchange to Japan, playing Carmina Burana (if you know you know) and rowing Head of the Charles made the short list of awesome things. Garrett talks a lot about finding “your why”, I found my “why” rowing at Charles.” —Millie Clark

“I had never experienced anything like it before. Racing with my best friends on such an exciting course and doing so well was awesome. Hands down the best four days of 2021.” —Michaela Banta

SEASON AT A GLANCE Fall Classic (11/14/2021) (Mission Bay) (5k) For the first big road trip of the year, Newport Aquatic Center traveled down to Crown Point Park in San Diego for the 2021 San Diego Fall Classic. This was a head race, starting boats one after the other, for a course length of 5000 meters. The Freshman 4+, majority of the boat being newcomers to the program, finished 2nd in their event. The V8 had an impressive 1st place finish in their race, finishing with a time of 17:10. The JV finished 4th on the field, with the 4V coming in 12th and the 3V coming in only 1 second behind them to claim 13th. The Novice 8 finished 3rd. The women’s pair (2-) finished 3rd out of

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8 and the women’s quad had an incredible 1st place finish to round out the day for NAC. With many girls racing the brutal 5k course twice, and a few as many as three times, Fall Classic was the first opportunity for the grit and strength of the women’s program to be showcased. These characteristics of the women’s team would only continue to be sharpened and strengthened throughout the year. Boats finished: • Freshman 4 (2nd) • 1V8 (1st, 17:10) • JV (4th) 4V (12th) 3V (13th) out of 29 entries • V2- (3rd) out of 8 • Novice 8 (3rd) • V4x (1st)

Cal Cup (3/12/2022) Cal Cup was the third stop at Marine Stadium in Long Beach for the NAC. With lineups becoming more and more solidified as the season wore on, the NAC women were set to show up and show out with top end speed. The 1V8 dominated their race with a first place finish, with the JV8 matching their performance with a 1st place finish and the fastest time of the day (4:44). The 3V8 finished first and the 4V8 finished 3rd. The women’s 4x- had another impressive performance for the season, finishing first ahead of two sculling focused programs. The women’s 2x finished 2nd, the women’s V2- finished first, the women’s 4+ A boat finished first

and the 4+ B boat finished 3rd. Maybe the most impressive win of the day, with a come-from-behind-win, the women’s V4- finished first. Ultimately, Long Beach Junior Crew would win the team points, claiming the Cal Cup for 2022. Boats finished: • 4x (1st) • JV4 (1st) JV4 B (1st) • U17 8 (3rd) • V2- (1st) • V4 A (1st) V4 B (1st) • JV8 (1st) (4:44, fastest time) • 3V8 (1st) 4V8 (3rd) • V2x (2nd) • 1V8 (1st) • U17 4 (1st) B (3rd) • V 4- (1st)

Crew Classic (3/27/2022) The second big trek down to San Diego for NAC was the last weekend in March for the famous San Diego Crew Classic. Collegiate, club and masters programs from across the country poured into Crown Point Park for two competitive days of racing. NAC women started off strong on Saturday, with the 1V8 and JV8 AND U17 all winning their heat and the 3V8 finishing 4th. The final would be a showdown for all four 8’s, with crews from powerhouse programs across the east coast and west coach in all 6 lanes. In the final on Sunday, the 1V8 chased down Marin for most of the race, com-

ing in 2nd by 8 seconds. The JV8 came in second as well, also finishing second to Marin by a similar margin. The U17 8 finished 3rd with a time of 7:08. And the 3V8 rounded out the day with a 2nd place finish in the petit final with a time of 7:15. The NAC women put themselves on the nationwide map at this race with the way they dominated their competition, especially east coast competitors. • • • •

Womens Youth Gilman Mulliken Cup Final 1 V8 (2nd) (finished 9 seconds behind 1st) U17 Referee Cup Final (3rd) (7:08) Womens Youth B Zlac Rowing Cup JV (2nd) (6:54) Zlac Petit Final 3V (2nd) (7:15)

WAY TO GO RUBY! WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR TEAMMATES. YOU ALL CAME BACK STRONG FROM COVID AND CRUSHED IT! SO GLAD YOU HAVE ANOTHER YEAR ON THE WATER WITH NAC. LOVE, MOM, DAD, MAX AND PIP

PORT

Way to go Sheya! "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Love Mom, Dad, Cole & Jimmy

NAC ROWER NHHS GRADUATE LADY VOLUNTEERS BOUND

CONGRATS MILLIE!

YOU AND YOUR TEAMMATES ROCKED IT! SO PROUD, DAD, MOM, LIZA, ISAAC AND ELLIOT

aley! Congratulations H long a s u g in k ta r fo u o Thank y our y w o ll o F . y e n r u jo on your ture! passion into the fu Love, Mom and Dad

Annie Buda | Port

Columbia University bound. Go Lions!

We are so proud of you, Annie! Your hard work and dedication have been an inspiration to us all! We love you so much! Dad, Mom, Andrew & Elle

Katherine, The amount of work you have to put into this work deserves all appreciation. You were phenomenal. Your grit overcame your shortcomings and your compassion drove you to not hold anyone back. We are very proud of you! Congratulations on a job well done! Love, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma and Dad

s n o i t a l u t Congra Kat and s l r i G y t Varsi on a ! n o s a e s great

Banta Sisters Michaela and Kiana Your perseverance, devotion, humility, and grace continue to amaze us. You are truly shining LIGHTS. We love you Love, Mom, Dad and Jackson

Nataly, One day you came to me and said, "Abba, I started rowing and you need to make payments." I told you that I didn't believe you...and come back in three months... and you did and you surprised me. You’ve been there four years now. You did it your own self and it’s all your doing. You are a brave and strong-willed woman that we are so so proud of. You are beautiful inside and out and we can’t wait for your continued journey to an anvil. We only see amazing things in your future based on what you've done so far... We love you so much and admire and respect you, — Abba Mamma Andre and Mika

First Day of High School

GO CHLOE

Heading to Duke

We wish you every blessing, Chloe! What an amazing NAC experience you’ve had these past four years. Your big heart and strength of character will serve you and others well. You continue to amaze and inspire us. We can’t wait to see what’s next!!! With all our love, Mom, Dad, Olivia, Grandma & Grandpa

Katy Rose Kennefick Huntington Beach High School

Committed to the University of Alabama

We could not be more proud of you! Your hard work, determination, perseverance, strength, power, commitment to your team, and competitive spirit amaze and inspire us. It’s been amazing to watch you grow and achieve your goals! We absolutely love and adore you! With Love and Devotion, Mom, Jeff and Dad

Taryn It’s been such a pleasure to watch your leadership skills as a coxswain flourish. We’re so proud of your achievements and can’t wait to see what you will accomplish at NAC over the next two years! Love, Mom, Dad, and Loran

We love you and are So proud of you Allison! Love, Mom, Dad, & Emma

Charlotte You are so loved. Thank you for bringing such joy into our life. Dad, Mom and Catherine

Kat, We are so proud of your commitment, perseverance, and accomplishments. We love you so much! NAC Rowing Rocks! Love, Mom, Dad, Joe, & Audrey Go 'Gate!

s n o i t a l u t a r Cong ia! Tal NAC Varsity Rower We are SO proud of your hard work and dedication to the sport of Rowing these past 4 years! Hard work and determination pay off! We love you so much!!! Dad, Mom, Brooke, Alana, Meios, Humphrey and Biscuit!

• Be Accountable - Ultimately you are responsible for the rower and person you become. • Love the Process - The 1% rule, Love what you do each day, and you will love the result. • Sweep The Bays - Always be humble and do the small things others won’t. • Know Your Why - Those who know their why can endure any how. • Champions Do Extra - No one becomes the best by doing what everyone else does.

Hannah Hannah What greatmemories memoriesand andfriendships friendships What great have made.We Weare areso soproud proud of of youyou have made. you and your team. You all inspire us you and your team. You all inspire us with your hard work and dedication. with your hard work and dedication. Go NAC! Go NAC! Love, Dad, Mom, Logan, Ali and Love, Dad, Mom, Logan, Ali and Murphy Murphy

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ommended a book by a good friend’s dad called Legacy. Legacy by James Kerr is a book about The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team, the most successful sports team in history by the ratio of wins to losses. And reading Legacy I connected with so many things in the book, beginning with rugby and rowing’s similarities. They’re both not extremely popular sports, at least compared to American football, baseball, or basketball. The pinnacle of both sports is not multi-million-dollar contracts, sponsors, and global fame. Instead with rugby and rowing, reaching the highest level is your country’s National team. So, when it comes down to it, the highest achievement in your sport has nothing to do with material success, but instead it’s all about the ultimate selflessness and giving your time and energy to something greater than you. Pouring though this amazing book on leadership, what really stood out to me (as to what the NAC Girls were missing as a team and what my vision as leader was missing) was culture. While I thought I knew the recipe for a great team and fast boats, I was missing the most important ingredient: the why behind it all. So, after that first season I went to work boiling down the best ideas from Legacy and several other books on leadership and culture and formed the start of what is now our 6 Pillars of Culture:

The next season (2019-2020) a group of highly motivated sophomores and freshmen would join the Varsity Squad with these 6 pillars of culture being introduced to the team for the first time. With an open mind and a hunger for success, these athletes began to embody this culture, buying in harder than anyone else, committing to the team with more conviction than anyone before them, and driving the group upward from below, day after day. The results began to follow with our first win against our entire region (including Marin) in the V8+, Lwt8+, V4+, and V4x in program history. Sadly, COVID arrived and put a stop to training as a team for quite some time. But a few exceptional athletes continued to push themselves, and their team, through a year of extreme ups and downs in life, and no rowing. They continued to lead the team even as younger athletes and showed the resilience and drive of true champions. Those athletes are our current fourth-year athletes both seniors and juniors. These individuals have been the glue that has bound this team together through one of the most historically defining events of our generations and got us going as soon as the world allowed us to. In my now 11 years of coaching, I’ve never seen the bravery, the trust, the commitment, and the dedication that this group has brought to a team. While last year’s seniors were the first generation that I was able to guide for all four years, and thus have a deep place in my heart, this year’s seniors and fourth-year juniors will forever be the team that changed the game. They are the team that created the culture, the girls who bought in with all their hearts, and the team that wrote their legacy on the NAC bigger and bolder than ever before, leading the next generation into a whole new chapter of NAC Women’s Rowing. I will be forever grateful for the time I have spent guiding these amazing young women along their journey as Junior Rowers and forever excited to see how this once-in-a-lifetime group of women moves forward in rowing and life to continue to change the world around them! Your Coach and Biggest Fan,

• Better People Make Better Rowers - Be the best rower you can be because you will carry these lessons through life.

Garrett Pickard

BY ANNIE BUDA The sisterhood: a complex relationship between sisters. Last year I gained over fifty new sisters — ones who work harder than anyone else I have ever known. What makes the NAC women so special is our willingness to commit. Whether that may be following the pillars of conduct, coming to the boat house at 6 a.m. every day, or digging into the pain cave little by little, a rare level of commitment is needed to be a rower. Yet my teammates have continually proven to understand the process and commit to doing everything they can to not only hold a national title but also become better people. Before this season began, our team discussed our goals and motivation for the exhaustion and pain that we were about to face. We came to the conclusion that we would do everything in

our power to become the fastest crew in the nation. We desired to line up at the start of Benderson and have the confidence and satisfaction that we did everything we could to win. Never have I been a part of a sisterhood that has committed to something with so much enthusiasm, drive, and passion. Now as the end of the season approaches, and that start line that we dreamt about is within reach, I am content that we accomplished our goal. The girls in this boathouse are hungrier than ever and have committed, as a sisterhood, to digging into another gear for each other. Each sunrise we have welcomed with sore legs, each windy day we have battled through, each drop of sweat — all for each other. Benderson, here we come!

Photo by Addie Jardim