October 20, 2007: Head of the Charles

While most Sarah Lawrence students relaxed and enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather during the 4-day October Study Days weekend, the Sarah Lawrence Women's Varsity 4+ squad kept their eyes on the prize as they traveled to Boston, Massachusetts for the 43rd Annual Head of the Charles regatta. The prestigious three-mile race is the largest two-day rowing event in the world, attracting 300,000 spectators and more than 7,500 competitive rowers. The winding, seven-bridge race course on the Charles River is known as the ultimate test of stamina and physical conditioning for rowers. And it is perhaps the most exacting course for the coxswain, demanding superior steering skills.

After attending a clinic conducted by World Champion and 8-time National Team coxswain Yaz Farooq, SLC coxswain Carina Kolodny led stroke seat Zielend Powell, first-year Kathryn Greenbaum, and team captains Chantal Gil and Alexis Gordon on a precise and swift route up the notoriously difficult race course. The green and white contended with clubs from all over the country and finished 29 out of 32, prevailing over Miami University, Passaic River Rowing Association, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Fellow rowers Jose Hernandez, Jacqueline Soltz, Jessica Goodwin, and Anna Fauerbach also traveled to Boston in support of their teammates.

Joining the varsity team next week will be the novice squad, in their collegiate rowing debut, at the Head of the Fish in Saratoga, NY.

Posted: Thursday, October 25, 2007

October 6, 2007: Head of the Housatonic

The Sarah Lawrence crew team headed through the autumnal scenery in the southern Connecticut valley to compete in the Head of the Housatonic at the New Haven Boat Club in Shelton, CT on Saturday, October 6th. Many colleges participated in the event, with several traditionally very strong teams present, including Dowling, Trinity and the US Coast Guard Academy.

With Coach Carolyn Miles once again at the helm, this was the first varsity match for many members of the Gryphons' young —and very large— squad. Of the eleven varsity rowers, ten are either first years or sophomores —which obviously bodes well for the immediate future of the team (additionally fourteen of the novice rowers are also first years or sophomores).

Sarah Lawrence entered two varsity fours in the women's collegiate, non–division 1, 4+event —a two and a half mile race against the clock. The lineup for boat 1 —sophomores Carina Kolodny as coxswain and Zieland Powell in the stroke seat, first year Jackie Soltz in 3 seat, sophomore/captain Chantal Gil in 2 and fellow sophomore/captain Alexis Gordon in bow. The lineup for the second boat was Anna Fauerbach (sophomore) as coxswain, first year Kathryn Greenbaum in stroke, and sophomores Lauren Schott, Kim Fais and Jess Goodwin in 3, 2 and bow respectively.

Both boats were pleased with their results and feel the hard work this fall semester has paid off with tangible results. The entire team will continue to train intensely in the coming days as next up for the Gryphon rowers will be the prestigious Head of the Charles, one of the highlights of the fall season, held in Cambridge, Massachusetts on October 20th.

Posted: Wednesday, October 17, 2007