Crew season off to a promising, successful start

By Nicholas Pinkerton

The men's crew team won the Head of the Port regatta last Saturday in Sacramento, finishing the 5K race in 17 minutes, 10 seconds.

In their first regatta of the preseason, the Broncos competed against five other Northern California schools, including UC Davis, Sonoma State, Sacramento State, University of the Pacific and California Maritime Academy.

The Broncos, who struggled early in the season last year, are already pleased with their results from the race and from practice.

"You can't beat it in comparison to how we've come out in the past," said senior Steven Shanley.

For captain Jimmy Shoven and his teammates, the race reflected the hard work the team had endured during practices.

"It was successful race, and it shows that we have a lot of potential," said sophomore Michael Republicano.

The team has been practicing together since the school year started, but the university medical clearance process has prevented them from running full practices with Head Coach Wieslaw Kujda.

While a team without a coach has been difficult for some, many players have responded well.

"A lot of people on the team are trying to take this season a lot more seriously," said Shoven.

Poised for significant improvement over last year, the Broncos have been stressing technique and team chemistry.

"A lot of it is discipline in how we row," said Shoven. "We're putting less emphasis on power and more emphasis on working together as a boat."

This requires the vocal leadership of experienced rowers such as Shanley and junior Brendon Bula.

The team has several seniors on the roster this year, and for many of them, that means giving their all-out best performance, according to Shoven.

The team has also found plenty of young talent, including freshman Evan Yates.

Yates, who rowed all four years at Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, earned an A-boat seat for the Head of the Port regatta on Saturday.

"He's proven himself," said Shoven. "He already knows the ins and outs of the strokes we're doing."

However, earning a preseason seat in the A-boat does not guarantee a future roster spot, Shoven said.

"I definitely think there is some shifting that's going to happen," Shoven said in regards to the current A-boat roster. "It only takes one practice."

Regardless of age or skill, this is a vocal and focused team, rowers said.

"Every single person on the team has an effect on another person," said Republicano.

With a strong work ethic and team chemistry, the Broncos are setting the bar high for the rest of the season.

"The goal of this year is to show the school something to be proud of. Last year was a start and this year we're ready to bring it up to the next level," said Shoven.

The team hopes to qualify for the grand finals at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Championships.

The Broncos will travel to Boston to race in the Head of the Charles regatta this weekend, competing with universities from all over the country, including crew powerhouses Princeton, Harvard and Dartmouth.

"I know the whole team is really excited about going out there, and we are ready to go out and prove ourselves," said Shoven.

Contact Nicholas Pinkerton at (408) 551-1918 or npinkerton@scu.edu.