Women's Rowing Journal - Erin Henry
5/3/2007 8:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
May 3, 2007
Because we were the first race of the Patriot League Championship. Because we are the ones that set the tone for the day and pumped up the V8 and 2V8; no matter that they wouldn't even know the result of our race until after they had finished their own. Because the expectations were high. Because our boat was the only one that had not yet beaten Navy this season, and that had to change. These are some of the many reasons that, if you asked any of my boatmates, they would tell you that's what drove us down the course this past weekend; but there is so much more than that for me.
I pushed because Coach Kate believed that we are the fastest possible V4 lineup. I pushed because Susan is my fellow senior and decided that this year she would fight as hard as she could to be on the Patriot League squad no matter what it took. I pushed because this was the first Patriot League Championship that Libby and Lauren would experience, and it had to be a good one. I pushed because Gil is my pair partner for the second year in a row and there was no way that I would let us finish second to Navy again, like we did last year in the 2V8. I pushed because our novice and 2V4 girls kicked butt at home the day before just like they always do; because everyday at practice the girls in the 2V4 came at us and made us earn our seats on the Patriot league squad. Lastly I pushed because I know that these girls in my boat, and everyone else in Worcester, was going to do the exact same thing that day, and they all wanted it just as bad.
Sadly enough, after this year I don't think I will ever find/be a part of such a dedicated and driven group of girls; a family with one common goal, all willing to push themselves beyond their limits for the girl in front of her and the girl behind her.
How do I know? In hindsight the results of this past weekend are proof; by winning back-to-back championships and improving from winning two of three races to sweeping the events. Nevertheless, I know that we will do the same this weekend at ECACs. Look out Worcester, we're coming back!
- Erin Henry '07