Sports

Spring Break Training Useful for Crew

Despite frigid weather, Andover Boys Crew crammed seven rows into three days of preseason last week. “All of the crews used the time productively and started to really get back into the racing season,” said Julian Danziger ’11. After B1’s third place finish and B2’s first place finish in the New England Interscholastic Rowing Associations (NEIRA’s) race last year, the team looks to improve this year. “Our overarching goal this year would be to win the Team Trophy at Interschols, which is awarded to the team who does collectively best in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd boat championship races. Another goal would be to win the Dent Oars, which is an award given to either Andover or Kent in our first encounter in the beginning of the season. The last few years Kent has taken the Oars, but this year we really want to make a strong push to take them back to Andover,” said Dan Larson ’11. Since rowing requires a great deal of synchronization, one of Andover’s greatest assets will be the team’s “great sense of camaraderie,” said Henry Kennelly ’13. The highly dedicated team “looks incredibly strong from top to bottom this year and it looks like we should be putting together a remarkably fast fleet of boats,” said Danziger. Disappointed by last year’s third place, a highly motivated B1 looks to rally for a better finish. “The B1 rowers, along with the rest of the team, are looking to avenge [last year’s] loss with gold at Interschols. I know it sounds a little intense, but we honestly won’t be happy with anything less than an undefeated season,” said Danziger. B2, with their first place finish, hopes to maintain their position and improve its time this year. With an abnormally large pool of rowers this year, B2 will undoubtedly pick up some new talent to speed up their time. Reflecting back on preseason, Danziger said, “It hopefully will be a great start to an even greater season.” Moving into the actual season, Andover’s training will be similar to last year, but intensified and harder. Andover eagerly awaits their first unofficial race of the season against Essex on April 9th. The following weekend, Andover will travel to their first true race of the season against Kent.