April 7, 2006

Because we'd rather make history than have it...

When it comes to rowing, Princeton has history. And speed. And amazing facilities, including water tanks, weights and ergs galore, oh, and a ballroom in the boathouse. So when we groggily stumbled off of the minibus, our eyes adjusting to the sun reflecting off Princeton's glimmering boathouse, we were prepared for Princeton's prestige.

We walked the boat down to the water, focused and ready to take on the Princeton challenge. As we approached the starting line, the sky that seemed so glorious moments before suddenly opened up and released pelting rain, accompanied by gusts pushing our boat away from the slippery hands of the future rower crouched in the stake boat. Almost instantly after getting our point, the rain stopped, leaving us drenched and slightly frazzled. And it had an effect on our start.

"All eight sit ready. This is the start. Attention. Row." And we're off. A slow start, as both Princeton novice and varsity boats seem to effortlessly move ahead down the course, the orange blades cutting the water at high rates. We picked it up after the not bad, but not best start - a solid, focused, together push by all eight rowers and coxswain. We easily moved through Princeton's novice eight and regained water on the varsity eight.

"Princeton's just sitting there. You're WALKING on them" was the call from our coxswain a little after the 1,000-meter mark. But what is even more memorable is the squawk of Princeton's coxswain during our move.

Seemingly obvious, but this race showed that when we have it together, well, it all comes together. And it works. So, Princeton's lightweight eight may have beaten us. But we're on the rise, our best stuff is yet to come, and we know how to get there.

We may not have a ballroom in our boathouse or a 135-year-old history sitting in our stern. But we have one very sturdy and wind-blocking wall at our boathouse. And we gained Princeton's respect. And we're walking on them.

- Laura Roberts `07