A competitive performance in the books, Jesuit Crew’s fall season has shown impressive results. Traveling from Waco, Texas to Cambridge, Massachusetts, the crew team has eyed competition from the beginning, seeking a coveted gold medal in an ambitious mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen. Over the span of nearly a month, Jesuit Crew has intensely competed in three regattas, striking different results.
Head of the Oklahoma
The first regatta of the 2022 season, Jesuit Crew competed in Oklahoma City on October 1 to 2, scoring some notable finishes in the 4000-meter (2.5 miles) races. On Saturday, October 1, the determined crew battled through three events. First, in the afternoon, two shells competed in the Youth 4+, with a tremendous first-place finish of 15:22.5 and another in eighth place. Next, toward the evening, two shells again participated in the Youth 8+, struggling for second place and finishing within five seconds of winner, Dallas United. The other shell finished in fifth. Finally, at 9 PM, the Jesuit Crew showed out in the premiere event, the Youth 8+ 500 meter Grand Final, sending two shells to second and third place, with the second place shell begrudgingly finishing within a second of the winner, Dallas United, who boasted a time of 1:27.7. On Sunday, October 2, the crew only competed in one race, scoring second place in the U17 (under 17) 8+, with a time of 15:02.6. Jesuit Crew left with five medals, with one gold, three silver, and one bronze.
Head of the Charles
Three weeks later, Jesuit Crew took to Cambridge, Massachusetts to compete in a world-renowned regatta boasting hundreds of teams, some of the best in the country. Moreover, the Jesuit Crew sent a blend of underclassmen and upperclassmen in their Youth eights on Sunday, October 23, featuring: Senior Ian Smith, junior Alexander Musico, sophomore Christian Carr, junior Nicholas Aristizabal, sophomore Evan Mallinson, senior Andrew Putt, junior Reece Mattorano, junior Dawson Zavala and senior coxswain Sebastian Esquivel. Jesuit Crew placed 62nd overall out of 90 teams.
Waco Rowing Regatta
The final regatta of the fall season, Jesuit Crew drove an hour and a half south to Waco to compete in five 5000-meter races on November 6. The five races consisted of a Youth 8+, an Under 17 8+, a Youth 4+, a Novice Youth 4+, and a Novice Youth 8+. In the Youth 8+, Jesuit Crew’s two shells placed fifth and seventh, and in the U17 8+, the team scored fifth again. Though not on the podium, Jesuit Crew looks to the future in their spring season for success.
An Analysis
“It’s a good thing it’s early in the fall [because] there is a lot of improvement to do as a team”.
– Ian Smith ’23 Varsity Crew Captain
Other teammates reflect on the benefits of crew, like new senior team member Elijah Garcia, who states how “it’s a very challenging sport,” that boasts “a strong brotherhood, [where he has] already made some pretty good friendships on team”. Similarly, senior Landon Cowan, a crew veteran, adds that “regattas are fun” and implores others to be open to growth and “join crew” – an inclusive opportunity, which prospective team members should email the current head coach, Ryan Hemelt about.
Jesuit Crew has experienced an unfortunate trend of turbulent coaching. Though, the prospects for spring season greatness are probable. With a larger team, an experienced squad, and a determined mindset, nothing can deter the embattled team from their vision of success – come the awaited spring sequel. Nevertheless, either an ode or an elegy, only time will tell.
Stay tuned to the Roundup for more crew updates and news!
