SPRING 2005
Aloha,
Aloha is...love, affection, compassion, mercy, sympathy, pity, kindness, sentiment, grace, and charity.
Aloha is a...greeting, salutation, regards, sweetheart, lover, and a loved one.
Aloha is being...beloved, loving, kind, compassionate, charitable, and lovable.
Aloha is to...love...be fond of...show kindness, mercy, pity, charity, affection...venerate...remember with affection...greet...and hail.
"Aloha!" is..."Greetings!""Hello!""Good-by!""Farewell!""Alas!"
This one word "Aloha" is the summation of my emotions and feelings about having been a part of the PIONEER CREW. This experience has been the most satisfying thing I have done in my entire life.
When I announced that I would step down at the end of the season I was at one of the most emotional and vulnerable points I have ever been in my coaching career. In all my time of coaching I don't know if I have ever been this discouraged. As always, I set myself a goal for the season. I would try not to let my disillusionment have an effect on the team. We would focus on TEAM goals, and let the chips fall wear they may.
I am proud to say that this is by far the most successful season we have ever had. We have shown depth from the novice program to the varsity program. We have very fast and successful crews on the girls and boys teams. We still have work to do though. Good enough is never good enough. Find that elusive perfect stroke.
How did this happen? The answer is just plane "commitment to excellence". This starts with our coaching staff and goes down to our rowers. I would be fooling my self to believe that this comes from one individual. I believe this staff values the word team. I am certainly blessed to be surrounded by 4 extraordinary individuals, who bring a love for the sport, and remarkable care and compassion for young adults.
Rich Griffith: A man of boundless energy and with out him I would never have lasted as long as I have. Kick the Dog! Throw the clipboard! Just think, what 20 years of this would be like together. Yah, Whatever.
Bernadette Marten-Teeley: I am in total awe of you. I love our time together and our talks. You help me to put things in perspective. You have that gentle but athoritive touch. We were all lucky when you came into our lives. Buck-Wild Woman! Make them fast.
Andy Forbing: Our man on the inside. He gets to know the kids and helps translate what is going on in their little minds. An old fashioned man with old-fashioned values. Trainer/Erg Monster.
Laura Roll: Again more energy than I know how to handle. Always smiling and willing to do what ever it takes. Give her more! Make me smile. You are hooked.
These individuals have transformed us into a TEAM. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Rowers: You make things happen.
You make me laugh. You make me angry. You make me sad. You make me happy. You make me want to pull what little hair I have out. You make me want this time together never to end.
Parents: What can I say?
Some of you understand. I know that you love your children and want what is best and will keep them all from harm. I have never wanted anything other than that for you children too. Help this team stay the course.
The Pioneer Athletic Department: I am proud to say I have been a part of this school.
I would never have thought I would be saying that. I am a parent of a Huron student/athlete. But kids are kids and I don't believe could have found a nicer bunch to work with.
Sugar: You know how much I love you and without your support this would not have happened.
You are my glue. You are the only one who totally sees inside me and exposes me. There is nothing in this world I could ever do to repay you for everything you have done. We are the team.
What happens now? I don't know. My passion for the sport and with working with young adults is still burning strong. I hope we can find a way for that to continue.
If can, can.
If no can, no can.
I have done the best I could.
Thank you.
Michael K. Dove
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 3,4, and 5, 2005
Saint Catharines, Onatario, Canada
The Pioneer Crew finished their season with a trip to Saint Catharines, Ontario to compete in the 60 th Anniversary Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association Championship this past weekend. The Pioneers sent seven crews to compete in this event. Heats were held on Friday, Semi Finals where held on Saturday and Final events on Sunday. Pioneer Crews were able to advance four crew s to the semis on Saturday and one Crew making the Finals on Sunday.
Crews from across the country came to compete in this event, on a world championship course. The 60 th anniversary regatta had 133 schools and over 4,000 athletes competing.
The CSSRA Championship Regatta is held at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta Course, on a body of water known as Martindale Pond which surrounds Henley Island in St. Catharines, Ontario Canada.
The final day saw Pioneer in the final event race of the Women's 59-kilogram lightweight women's four racing against E.L. Crossley, Branksome, Havergal and St. Mary's from Canada, with Nardine representing Buffalo, NY.
The race started with St. Mary's blowing out of the start trying to carry a strategy of gathering a lead and trying to hold on to the end. The Pioneer had a difficult first four strokes and they found themselves trying to play catch up to the first four boats. At the 1000 meter mark St. Mary's still had a slight lead with hard charging boats from Havergal, Branksome, and Crossleystarting to make their move. At the 1500-meter mark St. Mary's began to tire and Havergal, Branksome and Crossley, began to put on their sprint. Pioneer had inched their way into a solid 5 th place and they made their final sprint to try and take the fading St. Mary's crew. A great sprint by Crossley put them in first place with a time of 7'27"followed by Branksome (7'28"),and Havergal (7'32")for the top threes spots. The Pioneers finished fifth (7'39") giving them the honor of being the top American school in this event.
The crew is comprised of two freshmen, Esther Barrett and Inge Zwaanenburg, one Sophomore, Coxswain, Katie Carito, one Junior, Grace Hollowell and Senior Captain, Jessie Taggart.
Women 59 Kilogram Lightweight Four: On the way to the start.
Left to right: Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart, Esther Barrett, Inge Zwaanenburg, and Coxswain, Katie Carito.
Rowers Left to Right top: Jessie Taggart, Inge Zwaanenburg, Grace Hollowell, Esther Barrett.
Bottom, Coxswain, Katie Carito.
Final Results:
Finals: Sunday, June 5, 2005
Women 59 kilogram Lightweight Four 5 th place Time:7'39"
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart, Esther Barrett, Inge Zwaanenburg.
Semi-Finals: Saturday, June 4, 2005
Men 72 kilogram Midweight Eight (2 to Finals) 3 rd Time:6'40"
Coxswain, Erica Macke. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, David Elner, Rob Graham, Rune Duke, Richard Boehnke, Matt Mahony, Tyson Gersh.
Women 59 Kilogram Lightweight Four (3 to Finals) 2 nd Time:7'53"
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart, Esther Barrett, Inge Zwaanenburg.
Women 63 Kilogram Midweight Eight (2 to Finals) 3 rd Time:7'41'
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart, Esther Barrettt, Inge Zwaanenburg, Julia Darnton, Sarah Kurz, Angela Frakes, Emilie Lerner.
Women Heavy Four (2 to Finals) 3 rd Time:7'59"
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak.
Heats: Friday, June 3, 2005
Women 59 kilogram Lightweight Four (3 to Semi) 2 nd Time:7'50"
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart, Esther Barrett, Inge Zwaanenburg.
Women Heavy Four (3 to Semi) 3 rd Time:7'40"
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak.
Men 72 Kilogram Midweight Four (3 to Semi) 4 th Time:7'12"
Coxswain, Erica Macke. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, David Elner, Rob Graham.
Men Junior Heavy Four (2 to Semi + next 2 fastest times) 5 th Time:7'22"
(Pioneer had the 3 rd fastest time.)
Coxswain, Danielle Finch. Rowers, Tyler Sanderson, Richard Boehnke, Matt Mahony, Tyson Gersh.
Women Heavy Eight (3 to Semi) 4 th Time:7'16"
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak, Phoebe Goldberg, Maren Greene, Lauren Weston, Sarah Weisbuch.
Saturday and Sunday, May 14 & 15, 2005
Cincinnati, Ohio
The Midwest Scholastic Championship was held in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday and Sunday on Harsha Lake at the East Fork State Park. With 56 High School programs representing, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
Thirty-one heats and semi finals were held on Saturday, May 14 th under cloudy skies. A thunderstorm rolled thru in the late afternoon delaying events for about 45 minutes. A well-run regatta helped keep things progressing reasonably well though.
The Pioneer Crew entered 12 crews in the championship and advanced 7 crews to final events on Sunday. Sunday's final events were held under sunny skies and temperature in the 60's, great rowing weather. The women team placed 8 th in their division, moving up from 16 th last year. While the men's team placed 10 th in their division, moving from22nd last year. Overall the team placed 10 th moving from 16 th in 2004. Overall team depth has made this possible with novice crews making a great contribution.
The Girls Junior Four placed first and are the Midwest Scholastic Champions, remaining undefeated this spring season. While the Boys Junior Four placed second and are the runner-ups in the Boys Junior Four. Both of these crews had fantastic races with the men finishing just a little under 2 seconds behind.
Results of Finals:
Boys Novice Eight 5 th place
Coxswain, Grace Han. Rowers, Jared Smith, Justion Marini, Alex Apatzier, Josh Foster, Rune Duke, Lars Zwaanenberg, Kevin Sun, Will Diebolt.
Girls Varsity Single 5 th place
Rower, Grace Hollowell.
Girls Junior Eight 4 th place
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Mieksytn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak, Grace Hollowell, Lauren Weston, Rina Manikas, Julia Ager.
Boys Junior Eight 5 th place
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson, David Hamstra, David Elner, Tor Berg, Rob Graham, Max Deshamps.
Girls Novice Four 5 th place
Coxswain, Maris Benz. Rowers, Esther Barrett, Inge Zwaanenberg, Angela Frakes, Susan Murphy.
Boys Junior Four 2 nd place Silver Medal
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson, David Hamstra.
Girls Junior Four 1 st place Gold Medal Midwest Champions Trophy Plaque
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak.
Overall Team results:
Girls Division 8 th place
Boys Division 10 th place
Combined Overall 10 th place
Pioneer Crew Medalist at Midwest Scholastic Rowing Championship
Top row from left to right: David Hamstra, Grace Luczak, Molly Junck, Heather Miekstyn, Claire Luczak, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson.
Bottom Row from left to right: Coxswains; Julia Lathin and Nate Kurcz
Friday, May 6, 2005 and Saturday, May 7, 2005
Wyandotte, MI.
Conditions: Sunny 70 degrees, calm water, no wind.
The Pioneer High School Crew participated in the 34th Wyandotte High Schools Regatta on Friday and Saturday. Twenty crews from Ohio, Canada and Michigan participated in this annual event. The Pioneer Crew placed fifth overall, fourth in the Women's Division and fourth in the Men's Division. Five crews brought home medals and eleven crews made finals. The Pioneers unofficially placed second against public school crews from Michigan, with Forrest Hills Central from Grand Rapids leading the pack.
The regatta started on Friday afternoon with all schools participating in heats to qualify boats for Saturday's Finals. The Pioneers had a very strong showing, qualifying 11 boats for finals on Saturday. Conditions for Friday's heats were not the best, with choppy water due to winds out of the southwest. Sunny skies and pleasant temperature made for good racing though. To qualify boats had to come in first or second in most of the heats. The Pioneer crews provided exciting races with crews placing either first or second in their heats giving hope that we would be in the hunt for finals on Saturday.
Saturday provided ideal weather with sunny skies, calm water and temperatures reaching the upper 60's by midday. The crews fought hard all day trying to score points and bring home medals. The top boat of the day honors went to the Women's Junior Four, winning a Gold Medal and bringing home a plaque as the top Junior boat in the event. The Junior Men's Four and Eight won hard fought silver medals in their events. The Men's 160# Four came away with a Bronze medal, while the Women's Junior Eight settled for a Silver Medal to finish out the medaling boats.
Scoring was as follows.
1. Orchard Lake Saint Mary 144pts
2. Marietta 132pts
3. El Crossley 110pts
4. Pioneer 82pts
1. Marietta 276pts
2. El Crossley 208pts
3. Forrest Hills Central 170 pts.
4. Orchard Lake Saint Mary 154pts
5. Pioneer 142pts
Women Junior Four Champions 1 st Place Gold Medalists
Bottom: Coxswain, Katie Carito.
Top Row left to right: Heather Mieksyn, Lauren Weston, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak.
Results of Wyandotte High Schools Regatta:
5 th Place
Coxswain, Jessa Baker-Moss. Rowers, Angela Frakes, Susan Murphy, Inge Zwaanenburg, Julia Darnton, Kristina Little, Helena Parsonage, Agnes Lucot.
1 st Place Gold Medal Winners Plaque
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Lauren Weston, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak.
4 th Place
Coxswain, Grace Han. Rowers, Jared Smith, Kevin Sun, Justion Martini, Josh Foster, Alex Spatzier, Will Diebolt, Rune Duke, Lars Zwaanenburg.
2 nd Place Silver Medal
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson, David Hamstra.
6 th Place
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Pier Davis, Emilie Lerner, Sarah Kurz, Danielle Finch, Sarah Connolley, Diana Hasler, Hope Davis, Agnes Lucot.
4 th Place
Coxswain, Miles Atwell. Rowers, Justin Martini, Alex Spatzier, Rune Duke, Josh Foster.
5 th Place
Coxswain, Rowers, Angela Frakes, Susan Murphy, Helena Parsonage, Kristina Little.
3 rd Place Bronze Medal
Coxswain, Erica Macke. Rowers, Rob Graham, Ben Postema, Matt Mahony, Rich Boehnke.
2n Place Silver Medal
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson, David Hamstra, David Elner, Tor Berg, Max Deschamps, Ty Gersch.
2 nd Place Silver Medal
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Heather Mieksyn, Lauren Weston, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak, Inge Zwaanenburg, Esther Barrett. Rina Manikas, Julia Ager.
Scratch
Men 160# Four Bronze Medalist
From left to right: Rob Graham, Ben Postema, Erica Macke, Matt Mahony, Rich Boehnke
Men Junior Eight Silver Medalist
Coach Michael Dove, Matt Remsen, David Hamstra, David Elner, Tyler Sanderson, Max Deschamps,Nate Kurcz, Tor Berg, Ty Gercsh, Coach Bernadette Teeley
Women Junior Eight Silver Medalist
Top Row: Coach Michale Dove, Rina Manikas, Claire Luczak, Grace Luczak, Esther Barrett, Julia Ager, Coach Bernadette Teeley
Bottom Row: Inge Zwaanenberg, Katie Carito, Heather Miekstyn, Lauren Westen.
Results: HEBDA CUP REGATTA
Pioneer Crew comes in fourth
Saturday, April 30, 2005 Sunny, 50 degrees, Light wind.
Hebda Cup Regatta State Championship
Wyandotte, MI.
The Pioneer Crew quest for a team state championship came up short. With 11 rowers out of the competition because of commitment to Orchestra the team forged ahead with an effort to take home the team title. Unfortunately we were never able to make head way against the overall team strength of Forest Hills Central and Orchard Lake Saint Mary. Forest Hills Central came away with their first overall team state trophy by placing boats and scoring in 11 events. Our goal of making the top five in the state was accomplished with an overall team placing of fourth against 19 Michigan High Schools. The women placed second in their division and the men placed fourth in their division. Moving into the top five from seventh last year was a pleasant goal accomplished.
Pioneer qualified 9 crews in finals of the 13 events entered. We walked away with 2 state championship events. The Women Junior Eight and the Women Junior Four made it look easy by scoring big wins by open water against their competition.
The Junior men came away with third in the Junior Eight and second in the Junior Four.
The Novice men were a pleasant surprise by having strong showing in their event, coming in second.
"Our team unity and mental strength kept us in the hunt most of the day. We still lack some depth in areas and need to work on strength and conditioning to ultimately make the bid for the state title, but it shows that our desire is there." "We will need to start walking the walk and let go of just talking the talk", said Coach Dove.
State Champions: Women Junior Eight
Top Row: Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak, Julia Ager, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Esther Barrett, Grace Hollowell, Lauren Weston
Bottom Row: Head Coach, Michael Dove and Coxswain, Julia Lathin
Results of Final Events:
Women Lightweight 8
4th
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Pier Davis, Angela Frakes, Emile Lerner, Inge Zwaanenburg, Julia Darnton, Jeanette Pavlovich, Danielle Finch, Susan Murphy.
Men Junior 4
2nd
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Matt Remsen, David Hamstra, Tyler Sanderson, David Elner
Men Novice 8
2nd
Coxswain, Grace Han. Rowers, Jared Smith, Ty Gersh, Justin Martini, Klaus Azevedo, Alex Spatzier, Josh Foster, Rune Duke, Lars Zwaanenburg.
Women Junior 8 STATE CHAMPIONS
1st
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak, Grace Hollowell, Esther Barrett, Julia Ager, Lauren Weston.
Women Lightweight 4
4th
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Grace Hollowell, Esther Barret, Emilie Lerner, Inge Zwaananburg
Women Novice 8
4th
Coxswain, Jessa Baker-Moss. Rowers, Angela Frakes, Susan Murphy, Kristina Little, Jeanette Pavlovich, Julia Darnton, Diana Hasler, Helena Parsonage, Agnes Lucot
Men Junior 8
3rd
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Matt Remsen, David Hamstra, Tyler Sanderson, David Elner, Rob Graham, Ben Postema, Matt Mahony, Tor Berg
Women Junior 4 STATE CHAMPIONS
1st
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak
Men Lightweight 4
6th
Coxswain, Danielle Finch. Rowers, Rob Graham, Ben Postema, Matt Mahony, Ty Gersh
Results: ROCKFORD VS PIONEER DUAL MEET
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Rockford, MI.
The Pioneer Crew began its spring season with a dual against Rockford High School. Under sunny skies and warm temperatures the Pioneer Crews sprinted away with 10 wins against 3 loses on the 1500-meter course on the Grand River.
The meet started off with Girls Lightweight four taking a 12 second victory. The Mens Varsity eight raced to a 7 second advantage while the Girls Varsity eight pulled away to a 38 second advantage. Impressive wins to start the season. The true test will be next week when we face most of the Michigan High School crews at the Grand Rapids Invitational Regatta.
One of the most exciting races of the day was the girls novice eight, winning over Rockford by a bow ball. Both crews fought back and forth for the final 250 meters.
Both Crews worked on different lineups trying to work out kinks before the big regattas of the season starts. Great racing and warm friendly atmosphere made for a great day.
Rockford and Pioneer Crews shake hands after meet.
Results:
Girls Lightweight Four:
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart, Esther Barrett, Inge Zwaanenberg. 1 st Time: 6:00.70. Margin of victory 22.57.
Boys Novice Eight:
Coxswain, Miles Atwell. Rowers, Justin Martini, Ales Spatzier, Ian Gardiner, Lars Zwaanenberg, Rune Duke, Nate Vale, Chori Takahagi, Louis Gelinas. 1 st Time: 5:53.05 Margin of victory 25.38 seconds..
Boys Varsity Eight:
Coxswain, Nate Kurz. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson, David Hamstra, Matt Mahoney, David Elner, Rob Graham, Tor Berg. 1 st Time: 4:32.96. Margin of victory 6:43 seconds..
Girls Varsity Four A:
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Mieksytn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak. 1 st Time: 5:34.10. Margin of victory 18:03 seconds.
Girls Varsity Four B:
Coxswain, Katie Carito. Rowers, Phoebe Goldberg, Maren Greene, Lauren Weston, Rina Manikas. 1 st Time: 6:03.38. Margin of victory 23:97 seconds.
Girls Novice Eight:
Coxswain, Liz Diebolt. Rowers, Sarah Connoley, Helena Parsonage, Julia Darnton, Lizzie Elner, Jeanette Pavlovich, Diana Hasler, Agnes Lucot, Hope Davis. 1 st Time: 6:03.57. Margin of victory 1:12 seconds.
Boys Junior Varsity Four A :
Coxswain, Erica Macke. Rowers, Rob Graham, Richard Boehnke, Matt Mahoney, Ben Postema. 1 st Time: 5:15.96. Margin of victory 10:55 seconds.
Boys Junior Varsity Four B:
Coxswain, Danille Finch. Rowers, Justin Martini, Ty Gersch, Josh Foster, Alex Spatzier. 1 st Time: 5:48.42. Margin of victory 13:14 seconds.
Boys Varsity Four:
Coxswain, Nate Kurcz. Rowers, Eric Wustrow, Matt Remsen, Tyler Sanderson, David Hamstra. 1 st Time: 5:02.07. Margin of victory 17:89 seconds.
Girls Varsity Eight:
Coxswain, Julia Lathin. Rowers, Heather Miekstyn, Molly Junck, Grace Luczak, Claire Luczak, Phoebe Goldberg, Maren Greene, Grace Hollowell, Jessie Taggart. 1 st Time: 5:08.01. Margin of victory 39:40 seconds.