Rowing Team Spring Break Training Report

The Varsity Rowing team braved the Saturday storm to return to Kings Point following what was a successful spring training trip to Jacksonville, Florida. “The weather was really nice in Florida for rowing and we got much accomplished. Even though we have much more work to do, we feel that we are on track for a great spring season.” commented Head Coach Derek Hartwick.

   The travel roster included twelve midshipmen and assistant Coach Daniel Udeanu.

The Kings Point rowers were kept busy with two rows a day and an additional gym workout of lifting weights combined with aerobic conditioning. While in Jacksonville, the team did some safety training at the damage control trainer on the Mayport Naval Base. The training included classroom work to learn how to deal with broken pipes and holes in the hulls of ships. They all got wet but everyone survived the training unscathed and better prepared to handle adverse conditions while at sea.

   The Jacksonville Alumni Chapter, the local parents of Midshipman and the Florida Parents Association all made the team feel ‘at home’ by hosting a welcome B.B.Q., a night of bowling, and a special Alumni dinner. On Monday, Jonathan Christian ’86 arranged a tour of the U.S.S. Gettysburg which is a navy cruiser and happened to be at Mayport for some updating. On Wednesday, the midshipmen were treated to an afternoon of paintball  by alumnus Andy Lingaitis his wife Caroline and their family.  Nicholas Cunningham ’02 helped cap off a terrific week by showing the team around the Blackhawk hangar and allowing some of the Midshipmen to try the helicopter training simulator.

   The Midshipmen, Coach Udeanu and Coach Hartwick want to send their deepest thanks all those that helped make the trip to Jacksonville such a wonderful experience.

   The spring season looks very promising with many returning athletes from the fall season, and a number of strong seniors. The team kicks off the season at the Murphy Cup Regatta in Philadelphia on April 3 and competes each weekend until mid-May when the team will compete in the prestigious Dad Vail Regatta and hopefully then on to the National Collegiate Rowing Championships.