The Girls Varsity Crew team’s first boat ripped past St. Paul’s two weeks ago, securing the victory in dramatic fashion with a fiery closing 200m sprint. The squad’s intensity reflected that of the entire team, for all four boats soundly defeated their nationally ranked rival. Head Coach Kathryn Green could not have been prouder, saying, “The girls displayed more focus, determination and strength on the river than I have witnessed all season. Each boat member contained a burning desire to make the boat fly. Each crew pulled as one, accelerating the boats to remarkable wins over one of our toughest competitors.” On Saturday, May 5, Andover hosted St. Paul’s in a memorable first home race of the season. After the first two St. Paul’s boats defeated Andover in last spring’s dual meet, it became the top seed for the Interscholastic Championship. Severe flooding in the beginning of May forced the team off the water for the remainder of the season. Its chance at the 2006 New England title gone, St. Paul’s entered the race instilled with passion. Andover, however, desired victory even more. Andover’s second boat immediately gained control of its race at the start. Rowing a smooth and powerful pace, the team quickly eliminated any threat of defeat, pulling further and further away from the competition. Featuring Erin Mullany ’07 at stroke, Sara Wallace ’08 in seven seat, Ali Lyons ’09 at six, Sarah Beattie ’07 at five, Lindsay Newman ’09 at four, Isabelle Engelsted ’09 at three, Alex Farrell ’10 at two, Sarah Cohan ’08 in the bow and Sardis Harward ’08 coxing, the crew glided over the finish line eleven seconds and three boat lengths ahead of St. Paul’s. Winning the race in a record-breaking margin for the Andover-St. Paul’s dual meet, Engelsted expressed the boat’s excitement and shock, “We entered the race with some trepidation; St. Paul’s is one of our toughest competitors. However, I guess the nerves proved an aid rather than a detriment. The boat felt more powerful than it ever has.” The first boat race, however, was not as easy. As the two boats drew near the two-thirds, or 1,000 meter, mark, the leader could not be determined. Refusing to give up, the eight rowers, consisting of Captain Erika Roddy ’07 at stroke, Anne Motlow ’09 at seven, Becca Waldo ’07 at six, Liv Coffey ’07 at five, Pia Heilmann ’07 at four, Jade-Isis Lefebvre ’08 at three, Carly Villareal ’07 at two and Morgan Broccoli ’07 in the bow, moved as one to the voice of their cox Rachel Rauh ’07. Increasing its stroke rating and summoning upon the last ounces of strength it contained, Andover pushed past St. Paul’s in the final minute. The girls extended their lead to almost a boat length, crossing the finish line in 5:05—two seconds before their opposition. Andover proved unable to attain the same supremacy the following week in a small regatta against Exeter and Tabor. Although G1 and G2 soundly defeated Tabor, they fell short to rival Exeter. However, the loss has only inspired the girls to work even more diligently. As Captain Roddy commented, “This week’s race was disappointing, but in the end it will only make us better.” Rodding continued, “We know now what we have to do to get better and beat Exeter in two weeks. We’re going to work on rowing more cleanly and at a higher rating. So though we’re disappointed, we’re also angry and determined, and beyond ready to work harder in these coming weeks than we ever have.” Resolute to cross the line before Exeter at Interschols next Saturday, Andover has increased every practice’s intensity and focus—the team will stop for nothing except perfection. Coach Green observed, “The girls have practiced harder this week than they formerly dreamed possible. Every day has been filled with a kind of electric energy rarely, if ever, seen in high school crews. The power—both physical and mental—I have seen from them these past few days is exactly what it will take to emerge victorious next week.” The team eagerly awaits its first chance at redemption over last week’s disappointing performance in a race versus Northfield Mount Herman this Saturday.
