The Duxbury boys and girls crew teams started their spring 2019 seasons with strong results from their first competition, winning seven of nine races against New England foes Brooks School, Dexter-Southfield and Valley Regional (CT). Girls crew swept all four of their races, while boys crew captured the second, fourth and fifth boat races.
“To go from losing every event at this race last year to sweeping all four girls races today felt amazing,” girls first boat coxswain Fiona Shortt said. “I’m so thankful for our all the rowers and the coaches who helped us pull off this early-season victory. I know that all four rowers really laid everything out on the water today, and that kind of spirit will carry us far this season.”
The four girls boats outran their completion handily, with all races decided by solid margins.
Boys first boat coxswain and team co-captain Nick Rubin echoed Shortt’s sentiments.
“I felt that all boats rowed strong races today. It was great to see that we could compete with strong crews from around the league,” Rubin said. “The racing showed that we are not finished in terms of rowing our best strokes. That race personally made me feel that we can be faster, and that’ll come with time and consistent work from each and every member of this team regardless of position or boat placement.”
The boys racing was much tighter, especially in the top boats. Duxbury captured the boys fourth and fifth boat races easily, and it won the second boat in a nail-biting finish of less than half of a second. The first and third boats experienced ferocious racing that saw Brooks and Dexter eclipse Duxbury leads late in each race to capture the wins.
“I was very impressed with all of the boats today, especially after the limited preparation we have for this first race of the season,” Duxbury head coach Oli Rosenbladt said. “Very well done by our girls team and coaches Betsy Davenport and Tuffer Dow for getting their crews pointed in a very good direction to start the year. They had well-deserved wins today.”
“Our boys crews rowed extremely courageous races, which is something we have been working on in practice, and every crew led their race at some point,” Rosenbladt added. “Even if we didn’t have the closing speed we might have liked in every crew today, I’m confident that’s something that will come with practice.”
Crew is next in action on April 20, with the boys taking on Northfield-Mt. Hermon and the girls squaring off against BB&N and Groton.
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Additional quotes:
Senior Phil Fassnacht, boys third boat
“This weekend’s regatta went well. Getting to base our abilities against other teams is always refreshing, especially after weeks of practice. Although we did well, I think all oarsmen and coxswains alike realize there is a lot more work to be done before our next regatta.”
Junior Emma Collins, boys second boat coxswain
“Across the board, it was a solid first day of racing against some really good competition. While we’re thrilled to have won this one, the narrow margin we did so by definitely shows that we have a lot more to work toward in the coming weeks, and I’m so excited to see what we can do next.”
Girls’ second boat coxswain Grace Wargo
“I think everyone did amazing. Even those who didn’t win carried themselves so well and exhibited great sportsmanship. All the crews were super focused, and overall I think DBMS pulled off a great first race.”
Girls’ third boat coxswain Caroline Smith
“Everyone did a very nice job today, and I’m so proud of all of the girls for getting first. Everyone really came together and did their part, especially in the later races since the conditions got worse. I’m very excited to see what the rest of the season holds after today’s win.”
Girls’ fourth boat coxswain Audrey Mitchell
“Today felt like the official kickoff of the DuxCrew season. After a long winter, everyone was just really excited to get back on the water and compete.”