Coaches Journal:
Fall 2003
What will this season hold? What will varsity status mean? Questions to ask and to be answered as the season progresses. I will actually have a staff to work with this season. That will be something new. Besides Rich who worked with me in the Spring, Erin Coates and Kelly Mertz will be assistant coaches. A guy named Andy Forbing has asked to help with land training, specifically erg coaching. This just means that athletes will hopefully get more individual attention.
The volume and intensity will be upped one more time. Rowers will be asked to commit to being the best that they can possibly be. Erg testing is scheduled every week. Friday hill work is scheduled until regattas start. This should translate to fitter more committed rowers. The breakdown of crews will be established after the fourth week. Varsity A, B, & C boats will be set after rowing different combinations and initial erg testing. Getting the rowers to understand that they must work to get their spot is always hard. They often ask the question, “why am I in this boat”? If I was in a better boat I would be a better rower. Well, if you were a better rower you would be in that boat. Get them to believe in the system. Buy into the system and the coach and you will succeed. Sometimes I think that a coach is a used car salesman.
I have a good feeling about this team. They show they are dedicated. Practices start on time and crews are getting on the water at 4:30 pm. We usually put in 10-12,000 meters. This volume has never been achieved before. They are focused and shattered for the most part is minimal. All good signs.
Head Of The Ohio
Saturday October 4, 2003
What a way to start the season! The first regatta is always a time for apprehension. Have we prepared properly? Are we mentally strong? Are we fighters or floaters?
I think the answer was clear that we had a group of fighters. Most of the senior rowers have been together since their freshmen year and it shows what maturity and dedication can do. We have outstanding leadership on the girls and boys crews. They have taken this season to heart and are working toward a common goal. The practices are focused and we are putting in more volume than ever before. We will also start to increase the strength training this year.
Final Results of the Head Of The Ohio
2.8m miles
High School Women 2x
Pioneer 7th 19:40.0
High School Men 4+
Pioneer A boat 8th 15:43.0
Pioneer B boat 10th 16:03.0
High School Men 1x
Pioneer 15th 18:44.0
High School Women 8+
Pioneer A boat 1st 15:31.0 GOLD MEDAL
Pioneer B boat 20th 17:28.0
Pioneer C boat 22nd 17:39.0
High School Women 4+
Pioneer A boat 1st 16:34.0 GOLD MEDAL/TROPHY
Pioneer B boat 5th 17:48.0
High School Men 8+
Pioneer A boat 5th 15:06.0
Pioneer B boat 15th 16:06.0
Pioneer C boat 19th 18:05.0
FINAL TEAM STANDINGS
PIONEER 22nd overall against 110 crews
PIONEER 4th against High Schools and Juniors
Argo Challenge
Sunday, October 12, 2003
Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew and Ann Arbor Huron High School Crew met today for a dual meet on Argo Pond, in Bandemer Park. Both High schools continued their winning ways for the fall season with Pioneer coming out slightly on top with 7 overall wins to Huron’s 6. Pioneer Women Varsity 8+ and Women Varsity 4+ continue to be undefeated this season. They are coming off a huge win at the Head of the Ohio where they won two golds and a trophy for their Varsity 4+. The Pioneer Varsity 8+ comprised of Coxswain, Jessy Meyerhoff, Rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Maren Greene, Danielle Stempien, Julia Blessing, Sarah Elner, Phoebe Goldberg, Jessie Taggart, dominated the Varsity 8+ race. The Pioneer Varsity 4+ comprised of Coxswain, Jessy Meyerhoff, Rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Julia Blessing, Danielle Stempien also dominated the Vasity 4+ race with open water between the closest boat. Pioneer also had an excellent showing for their Novice rowers in their fist race of the season winning 3 of the 4 novice events. A very large turnout of spectator parents showed up on the banks of the Huron for great racing and camaraderie.
Final Results of All Races:
Boys Novice 4+
Pioneer 1st
Girls Varsity 8+
Varsity A Boats
Pioneer 1st
Varsity B Boats
Pioneer 1st
Boys Varsity 4+
Varsity A Boats
Huron 1st
Varsity B Boats
Huron 1st
Varsity C Boats
Pioneeer 1st
Girls Novice 8+
Pioneer 1st
Boys Novice 8+
Pioneer 1st
Girls Novice 4+
Huron 1st
Boys Varsity 8+
Varsity A Boats
Huron 1st
Varsity B Boats
Huron 1st
Girls Varsity 4+
Varsity A Boats
Pioneer 1st
Varsity B Boats
Huron 1st
Chicago Chase
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Pioneer dominates the Chicago Chase Regatta. Pioneer rowers continue on their successful first varsity season. Receiving varsity status at the beginning of the school year seems to have transformed the Pioneer Crew. Results of Saturday’s races put Pioneer on top with 5 medal performances, topping all the other high schools entered.
The Girls Varsity 4+ of coxswain, Sarah Elner; rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Julica Blessing, and Danielle Stempien continue their undefeated season with a gold medal performance. The Girls Novice 8+ show they have great promise for the future with a gold medal also, rowers were Lauren Weston, Pier Davis, Rina Manikas, Sarah Kurz, Julia Ager, Claire Leonard, Allison Stover, Leah Helzerman, and coxswain Samantha Bedore. The Girls Novice 4+ of coxswain, Julia Lathin, rowers, Lauren Weston, Pier Davis, Rina Manikas, and Sarah Kurz placed third in their other event.
On the men’s side, Pioneer Boys Varsity 8+ composed of coxswain Jeff Nerenz; rowers, Zach Ringo-Kasotakis, Lewis Ezekiel, Brian McNair, Alex Hegyi, Ryan Bouchard, Andy Ribits, Hunter Brawn, and Tolya Zubryckyj, placed second. The Boys Novice 4+ came in third with coxswain, Jeff Smith; rowers Max Deschamps, Rich Boehnke, Matt Mahoney, and Nick Tsangaris.
Great results show that this team has begun to mature.
FINAL RESULTS:
Girls Novice 4+
Pioneer 3rd
Girls Varsity 4+
Pioneer A 1st
Pioneer B 11th
Boys Varsity 8+
Pioneer A 2nd
Pioneer B 7th
Boys Novice 8+
Pioneer 6th
Girls Novice 8+
Pioneer 1st
Girls Varsity 8+
Pioneer A 4th
Pioneer B 8th
Pioneer C 9th
Boys Varsity 4+
Pioneer A 5th
Pioneer B 9th
Boys Novice 4+
Pioneer 3rd
JACK SPEAKMON REGATTA
Saturday October 25, 2003
The last big Regatta of the season showed that the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew is one of the best Crews in the Midwest region. Competing against High Schools and Junior Rowing Clubs, the Pioneers came away with a 3rd place finish in the final team results. The Pioneers were just 5 points behind the Lincoln Park Juniors of Chicago. This placing made us the top High School represented in the standings. This is a remarkable achievement for the Pioneer Crew in their very fist season as a Varsity sport at Pioneer High School. This comes after 4 seasons as a club. The number of rowers has grown considerably from their humble beginnings with about 20 rowers to the current 71 rowers on the squad.
The day started off great with the Women Lightweight 8+ taking a Bronze Medal. Coxswain, Ariel Grosshuesch, rowers, Krista Aschenbach, Caitlyn Molitor, Jeewon Chang, Sarah Weisbuch, Emilie Lerner, Jessie Taggart, Jessy Meyerhoff, Amy Fingerle.
The Women Varsity 8+ continued their great season with a Bronze Medal. Coxswain, Jessy Meyerhoff, rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Maren Greene, Danielle Stempien, Julia Blessing, Molly Junck, Phoebe Goldberg, Jessie Taggart.
The Men Varsity 4+ took another Bronze Medal with Coxswain, Jeff Nerenz, rowers, Zach Ringo-Kasotakis, Lewis Ezekiel, Ryan Bouchard, Andy Ribits.
By mid-day the Pioneers were leading the point’s race. Most of the spectators and teams were startled to here that announcement. Of course a big cheer went up from the Pioneer camp.
The afternoon brought more medals for team with the Men Lightweight 8+ taking a Gold Medal. Coxswain, Maria Princen, rowers, Joey Domino, Eric Wustrow, Nate Kurcz, Grant Kemp, David Hamstra, Matt Remsen, Evan Davies, Shon Thomas.
The Women Varsity topped the day off with another Gold Medal. This crew has not lost a race all season and is turning heads in the rowing community. Coxswain, Jessy Meyerhoff, rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Julia Blessing, Danielle Stempien. These five senior rowers have been together since their freshmen year and have a remarkable winning record over these years. A commitment to the crew and to the program has made them winners both on and off the water. We are extremely excited about this season and the great success we have seen. Hard work and commitment is paying off for the rowers of the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew.
Final Results of the Jack Speakmon Regatta
Columbus, OH. Saturday, October 25, 2003
Junior/High School Women Lightweight 8+: 9 boats entered
Pioneer 1st (Gold Medal)
Junior/High School Women Novice 8+: 21 boats entered
Pioneer 11th
Junior/High School Men Novice 4+ (19 boats entered)
Pioneer A boat 5th
Pioneer B boat 14th
Junior/High School Women Varsity 8+: 20 boats entered
Pioneer A boat 3rd (Bronze Medal)
Pioneer B boat 16th
Pioneer C boat 18th
Junior/High School Men Varsity 4+: 22 boats entered
Pioneer A boat 3rd (Bronze Medal)
Pioneer B boat 8th
Pioneer C boat 14th
Junior/High School Men Novice 8+: 15 boats entered
Pioneer 11th
Junior/High School Women Novice 4+: 25 boats entered
Pioneer 14th
Junior/High School Men Light 8+: 4 boats entered
Pioneer 1st (Gold Medal)
Junior/High School Women Varsity 4+: 26 boats entered
Pioneer A boat 1st (Gold Medal)
Pioneer B boat 7th
Pioneer C boat 17th
Junior/High School Men Varsity 8+: 19 boats entered
Pioneer A boat 7th
Pioneer B boat 13th
Final Junior/High School Standings:
Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club 1st
Lincoln Park Junior Rowing Club 2nd
Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew 3rd
Wyandotte American Heritage River Regatta
Sunday November 2, 2003
The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew finished out their fall season in style with another dominating performance. Medaling in 6 of 10 events entered. The team place 5th in team points against College, Masters and Junior rowers. This closes out the most successful fall season since starting as a club in 1999 and becoming a full varsity sport at Pioneer this fall. Hard work and dedication has been the key to the success of this team. Rowers have put in a lot of hard work preparing their bodies and minds to row this season and the results show that it pays off to stay focused on the team over self.
The stand out crew this fall has undoubtedly been our Women’s Varsity 4 boat. This group of girls has just turned in the first undefeated season ever. Winning the Junior Women’s 4+ in the final regatta was thrilling to watch. The five senior girls with coxswain, Jessy Meyerhoff, rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Julia Blessing, and Danielle Stempien have been rowing together since their freshmen year and stayed focused week after week and never let winning go to their heads. This is an example of the fine young women and men that we have been able bring to this program.
Pioneer looks like it has the beginnings of a fine men’s program as well. The Lightweight Men’s 4+ brought home a gold medal as well. This crew is composed on Coxswain, Maria Princen (Sophomore), rowers, Joey Domino (Sophomore), Eric Wustrow (Sophomore), David Hamstra (Sophomore) and Nate Kurcz (Junior).
The Varsity Women’s + with Coxswain, Jessy Meyerhoff, rowers, Jessica Makolin, Kate Burdick, Maren Greene, Danielle Stempien, Julia Blessing, Heather Miekstyn, Phoebe Goldberg, Jessie Taggart rowed a tremendous race and brought back a Silver Medal.
Lightweight Men’s 8+ with Coxswain, Maria Princen, rowers Joey Domino, Eric Wustrow, Nate Kurcz, Grant Kemp, David Hamstra, Matt Remsen, Evan Davies, Shon Thomas won a Silver Medal as well.
Junior Men’s 4+ with Coxswain Jeff Nerenz, rowers Zach Ringo-Kasotakis, Alex Hegyi, Ryan Bouchard, Andy Ribits all seniors finished out their fall season in fine style with a Bronze Medal. These five rowers have been together since their freshmen year and have had an outstanding season.
In the final race of the day the Lightweight Women’s 8+ with Coxswain Ariel Grosshuesch, rowers, Sarah Elner, Sarah Weisbuch, Krista Aschenbach, Caitlyn Molitor, Jeewon Chang, Jessie Taggart, Emilie Lerner, Amy Fingerle finished the day off with a Silver Medal.
Final Results of the Wyandotte American Heritage River Regatta.
Junior Men’s Novice 8+ 4th
Junior Women’s Novice 8+ 5th
Lightweight Women’s 4+ 6th
Junior Women’s 4+
Pioneer A boat 1st (Gold Medal)
Pioneer B boat 5th
Lighweight Men’s 4+ 1st (Gold Medal)
Junior Men’s 8+
Pioneer A boat 4th
Pioneer B boat 8th
Junior Women’s 8+
Pioneer A boat 2nd (Silver Medal)
Pioneer B boat 8th
Lightweight Men’s 8+ 2nd (Silver Medal)
Junior Men’s 4+
Pioneer A boat 3rd (Bronze Medal)
Pioneer B boat 4th
Lightweight Women’s 8+ 2nd (Silver Medal)
I must admit that I am beginning to feel a little despondent over this controversy surrounding crew at this time. I have put in a lot of time since helping start the crew as a club four years ago and hope this does not reflect on the hard work that the parents and majority of the rowers have done. It is my believe that this is a problem between a very small group….., but feel extremely terrible about it coming to this point.
This has been the finest team we have ever had and the results show you are dedicated and focused. Great job rowers and thank you parents for everything you have done to make this a successful fall season of rowing. I think we all should be proud of our first varsity season
Special "Thank You" again to the parents for your kind support. Also "Thank You" to the rowers that "Believe"!
Believe in the Team, Believe in Yourself, Believe in your Parents, Believe in the Good, Believe that hard work is the only answer to success, and to those that Believe in the Program and Me.
Speech: Fall 2003
In the fall of 1999 I was here to help get this team started. I felt that this was a sport worthwhile. That it helped build respect, perseverance, confidence, leadership and life long friendships. My experience with helping Huron from club to varsity status while seeing my own son grow in stature and confidence made me feel that this team would grow as well. We started it back then with about 23 rowers. Well, here we are starting our fifth year, and we have 71 rowers and varsity status for the first time. I was certainly startled when we were told in the spring that in the fall we would be a varsity sport at Pioneer.
Having that Varsity status has not been easy. The expectations that I put on myself to demonstrate that we deserved this were heavy. I felt strongly that this would be the best team we would ever had when the season began. We were fortunate to have rowers that started as freshmen and were about to embark on their senior year together. Guess what? Experience counts!
Senior leadership is an ingredient for success no matter how you look at it. Add in other motivated athlete’s and it is hard to go wrong. These kids came into this fall season ready to work hard and pay the price to achieve success. Getting everybody to believe in the system established is not always an easy sell. Sitting in a B or C boat with your head spinning as to why you are there is not fun. If the coach put me in a better boat, I would be a better rower. Well, I would put you in a better boat if you were a better rower. It is my job to watch you everyday. I watch you when you don’t see me. I look for the ability to keep fighting to get better no matter what happens to you. I am not especially fond of rowers telling me where they should be. My main concern is always boat speed. Is that boat moving well or is it just dog slow. Does the rower continue to stay focused on improvement every single practice. Are you filling a seat or are you filling a purpose. I hope you learn the difference.
There is always a certain sadness to Fall. It signals change. Seeing senior rowers and knowing that this is the last year I will be with them is somehow hard. I am sure parents are going thru the same thing. We have been with them to guide and educate for the last four years and now they will going out on their own soon. But the work is not done. We still have time together and keeping focused is still in the plan. Don’t get all nostalgic I keep telling myself. Keep them moving forward and let them leave their legacy for others. I have been thru it before, but this is by far the largest. I have had the privilage of watching many of these kids grow before my own eyes. They came together as freshmen for who knows why? We were just a fledgling club at the time. For what ever reason they seem to believe in themselves and of course believe that I could help them get better. To those rowers I say “Thank you”.
Of course with the kids comes another group. The parents. We cannot live with out each other. Like bread and butter, like salt and pepper, like hot and cold. We are all entwined. The level of success achieved is also proportionate to the amount of giving that the parents are willing to do. The success of these kids have had is in no small part due to the parent who believe in their children and the sacrifice that were all willing give so that they will become great citizens and successful individuals. We have had a successful season and team due to dedicated parents. Many, many thanks from my heart.
There is another group that I would like to thank. You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. Assistant coaches this would not have been a successful season without. Your long hours and dedication to the kids has not gone unnoticed.
Go Pioneers!