On the Road Again... Nationals

Deja Vu anyone.... all packed up and back on the bus with many teenagers. Off to Cooper River, New Jersey.

Nationals is always a nice weekend.  It's a lot calmer, smaller, the kids are more focused and it's just not quite as hectic and crazy.  Unfortunately, the results were not what anyone wanted I don't think.  We only got one boat (Womens Lt 4) out of heats and into semi's and then finals.  They ended up 5th in the Nation.  Pretty freaking awesome.  Both the Light 8 and the Junior 8 were last in their heats.  I don't think either boat expected that.  Zack's boat only had 5 boats in the heat and they just needed to be top 4 to advance, but just couldn't make it happen. Not only is the competition insanely tough at this level, it was a tough weather day, rainy, cold and quite windy.  They just didn't have a good race and that's the worst part.  It's one thing when you come in last, but you rowed well and felt good about what you did.  Sadly that wasn't the case for either boat this time.  Zack said, they just felt off, probably one of their worst rows.  I feel bad for them for that reason.  Junior 8 had a terrible start, wind got to them and then they think they hit and killed a family of ducks, which probably distracted some of them just enough to throw it off.  Fortunately, we have great kids, after the initial disappointment, they sucked it up and moved on. I think they all ended up enjoying the weekend.  We had a great time cheering for the Lt 4 girls and watching the other races. And there were some amazing races with some amazing rowing!  I wish some of the parents would take a lesson from their kids.  There were a couple of very pissy faces and attitudes after the races.  Grow the hell up and react like grown ass adults and not pissy, cry babies!  Sometimes it's the parents that make this whole thing a chore.   It's actually amazing that anyone was able to do anything this weekend.  The whole freaking team is sick.  It's like it's held together with cold medicine, motrin, ice packs and heating pads.  But, it's no surprise if you think about all the stress they are under.  May is... States, Stotes, Nationals, SOLs, exams... the stress these kids are under, they probably aren't sleeping, they are working their asses off...  I think next year starting at the beginning of May, at the end of each practice, everyone can line up and file by and  I will hand out a tablet of Vitamin C and Airborne!  Sort of like communion...  to fight off the viruses!

Nationals in pictures:

Our site and hard working parents

The site

It was a pretty venue.

Mike didn't come so it was just Jason, John and I.  I can't believe we were actually able to talk John into staying at the hotel and having a drink with us!

Once again, this boy just cracks me up!  I kept thinking it looks like he has a jock strap over his face. Only my kid!

Good kids but undeniably Goof balls!

I love my boy so much!  I feel so privileged to experience all this with him and so thankful that he doesn't seem to mind.

One of my favorite pictures of them.  Such good boys and Matty!

This probably IS my favorite picture.  Unfortunately is was only on Twitter or I'd have it made into poster-size.  This should be on some sort of calendar or recruiting poster!

In action!  They are amazing!

Al Urquia Regatta

We did it, we got another full regatta under our belts.  It's April 25th and we've had 2 full regattas.  This is the most insane season I ever remember.  Another successful outing.  Zack's Light 8 rowed as a 2nd 8 because there were no other entries and they came in 4th.  Not too bad.  They seem to be getting better and faster each week.  He still seems happy enough, so that's all I really care about.  It's definitely challenging to be a coach and a parent, especially when decisions are made that you don't understand or agree with.  You have to just trust that it will all work out and right now it seems to be doing just that.  I still don't totally agree with Zack being moved out of the Junior 8, he's definitely a better rower than a couple of the guys in that boat, but at the same time he certainly doesn't have the same power they do.  So, if you're going with straight up power and not technique, then I see what they are doing, but it's not always about power.  Anyway... as long as he seems to be happy where he is, then that's all that matters to me.

The little twit has started this new plan.  He started putting up 2 fingers in a V shape or a #2 sign and we've been teasing him about his "gang sign."  His new goal it to have his "gang sign" in every picture of him taken this year!  It's infuriating but also hilarious!  If you look at any pictures he's in, there it is.  I don't know how he keeps that much awareness, but it's now become a competition between us.  Can I catch him unawares and get a picture minus the gang sign.  Even when he's not paying attention, he's got the sign going!

What a bunch of hooligans!

As for my Freshman 8, this was a very exciting regatta.  Their first opportunity to race twice.  They actually had a heat, where the top 3 advanced to finals!  It's so nerve wracking!  I want them to do well and be happy with their performance.  And at this point it's hard for me to separate their performance from my ability as a coach.  I have to keep reminding myself that if they do poorly, that doesn't mean I'm a bad coach.  I know their performance is not a direct reflection on me - but I still feel like it is, and I'm still worried that's what everyone else is thinking.  I just keep having to remind myself, it's not about me and that I'm doing the very best that I can.  So.... they raced... and came in 3rd!!  They got to move on to the finals.  Needless to say, EVERYONE was thrilled!  I was so happy for them, their parents were giddy and I think they were pretty stoked!  They ended up 6th in the final, but that's not what's important, what's important is they got there!  

What truly cracked me up, is after their heat I sent them back to the tent to get something to eat and to relax.  About 30 minutes later when I walked over to the tent this is what I found...

Every single one of them was sacked out!  It was like on a Kindergarten field trip when you come home on the bus, they all fall asleep.  My poor boys rowed their little hearts out in their heat and pretty much collapsed afterwards.  Too precious!!  I love my freshman.

Smokey Jacobs Regatta

Finally!!  We made it through and entire regatta and everyone got to race!!  They played fruit basket upset on the boys varsity side this week.  Seems like there must be some kind of rule or regulation in the "crew lineup handbook" that says nothing good can stay the same.  This week they raced a Junior 8 and a Lightweight 8.  Zack is back stroking the Lightweight 8, separated from some of his friends, but back and reunited with others.  He's had a really good attitude and said that the boat feels really good and pretty fast.   So, off we went to the regatta.  An absolutely beautiful day!  It turned out to be quite successful for most everyone...  The Junior 8 took first.  Zack's boat was 2nd, the Novices were 2nd after catching a crab and recovering well, they would have been 1st without a doubt.

When did my baby boy become such a man!?!

Then there were my freshman..... I was so extremely proud of them.  They raced their little hearts out.  The last 100-200 meters they were neck and neck with Woodson.  Literally each stroke the boats took, had them squeak ahead of the other one.  I was at the finish line, standing next to the Woodson coach and we were having heart attacks.  My guys were edged out literally by a stroke.  2 seconds between third and fourth.  Woodson may have gotten third but they had to really work for it!  Last week Woodson beat us by 47 seconds!  This week 2 seconds!  I'd say that's a freaking success!

What a crazy season.  One more regatta and then it's States, then Stotes and then god willing Nationals!  It's like a whirlwind!