The Founders Day Regatta hosted at Lake Waramaug all revolves around experience, according to Head Coach Thomas White—and this year’s Choate Boys Crew is quite experienced. Last year, Coach White says that the team did not completely fulfill its goals mainly because they were a young team, but this year’s success can be attributed to knowledge, hard work, and of course, previous experience. The 2008 Founders Day Regatta was an over all success. All varsity boats medaled, with the third boat finishing first in its category. And even though Mr. White says that the Founders Day Regatta is not about the medals, and more about “getting a taste of what it is like to race at a very high level,” the boys do love the medals nevertheless.
The winning third boat included of Paul Gaffney ’09 at stroke, Lenny Futterman ’10 in second seat, Brandon Whitney ’10 in third, Peter Renehan ’08 in the bow, and Anthony Mancini ’09 coxing. The second boat, placing second in its races, comprised Taylor McDonald ’08 at stroke, Connor Murphy ’09 in second seat, Tyler Maloney ’08 in third seat, Peter Krawczyk’08 at bow, and David Lam ’10 coxing. And the first boat, placing third in its category, was made up of Jesse Reisner ’08 stroking, post graduate Duncan McHale ’08 in second seat, Alex Hirt ’09 at third seat, Eric Schwarzenbach ’09 at bow, and Lizzie Needham ’09 coxing. McHale described the members of third boat as “scrappy” competitors and attributed their success to their being constantly pressured throughout the season and even in practice to keep up with their competitors. In contrast, the first and second boats had not been as tested prior to Founders. Founders League represented the first real challenge for them, where the competition “really stepped up” McHale says. The Founders League Regatta was “pretty interesting for all boats,” he goes on to say. “It really showed that we can compete with the best in the east, and also displayed the depth of the program with the third boat’s victory.”
There is no doubt that the New Englands Four’s League attracts the fastest racing in the country with schools like Belmont Hill (two-time national champion), the Cincinnati Juniors (who flew up for the race), and perennial powerhouse Kent School, all showing up to compete. These three teams, Coach White says, “are the crews we trade wins with primarily.” Other strong crews who rowed in the regatta include Brunswick Academy, Blaire Academy, Nobles School, Kent School, and the Gunnery School. The Choate team will compete against many of these crews later on in their regular season, and of course, at New Englands. The boys regular season is so far unblemished in the league, having lost nothing and having gained all so far against some of the quickest on water in the nation.
Although an important midway season race, the Founders League Regatta is not, in fact, the biggest highlight of the season. The focus of the season is the New Englands. Founders Regatta acts primarily as a practice race of sorts that prepares the boys for the climax of their season. Unfortunately, even with the Founders success, Coach White still says that “it is really up to the boys in the next two and a half weeks to really try and rise to that speed and intensity present at the New Englands Regatta, and the likelihood of their success at New Englands rests on their shoulders.” But Coach White also says that “the season in terms of development is going well; there are a lot of new guys stepping up to the challenge, guys pushing each other, and those who are trying to achieve and step up to that level of intensity and speed.” Coach White concludes, “It’s all very exciting.”
