People crowd the shores that overlook the water, waiting and watching for that final stroke to push them over the finish line. As the tip of the boat makes the final trek across that invisible line, the crowd goes wild.   

Although it’s not recognized as an official school team, the Crew Club has evolved tremendously over the past 18 years. The club itself is split between Novice and Varsity, both coached by volunteers.

“The coaches have a comprehensive training and conditioning plan for each student-athlete to get them ready for the spring season. We want them to be in the best position to succeed as a team, and also individually,” O’Connor said.

Spearheading the club is the Crew Auxiliary, which is a team of parents dedicated to providing the help needed to run the club.

According to Paul O’Connor, the President of Crew Auxiliary, the fact that the Crew Club is coached by volunteers seems to be what puts them above the rest.

The rowers and coaches work diligently and efficiently throughout the year to build up to their spring season. During their last season, the team won the Regional Competition and the State Competition. The Women’s Varsity Eight placed second and the Men’s Lightweight Four placed first in the National Competition, held in Ohio.

This season, the team hopes to accomplish the same goals and make it to the Nationals once more.

Sophomore Alex Greene rows for Varsity and competed in the National Competition last year in the Women’s Varsity Eight.

“There were a lot of people there and it was a little overwhelming but it was cool to see that a bunch of the people you know are into the same thing you,” Greene said. “It was fun, the race was cool because you could see from start to finish. A lot of the times you can’t do that.”