2011 MSOE rowing preview
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Published: 09/12/2011 |
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2011 will mark the fifth season of rowing at MSOE. The program has competed against some of the best rowing teams in the nation during its short existence.
“I have seen progress of MSOE rowing in many forms,” said head coach Chuck Stollenwerk. “Most notably each returning athlete has improved his/her skills as an oarsman or coxswain both technically and through better (physical) test results. Since I have been here, the level of fulfillment and enjoyment has also greatly improved. The level of intensity, commitment and communication on the team has showed marked improvement as well. I also believe the rowing community has been very positively enhanced by the presence and efforts of current MSOE rowers, coaches and coxswains.”
Last April, the Raiders won the Kilbourn and Juneau Cups in Milwaukee on the Milwaukee River. MSOE's Varsity Eight had a time of 4:54.73 to secure the Kilbourn Cup. The Raiders' Varsity Four finished first to win the Juneau Cup with a time of 5:29.66.
“We have all four major award winners from last year returning,” Stollenwerk said. “Our two MVPs, Zach Parsons (varsity captain last season) and Devin Dolby (novice captain last season), held the best lightweight and heavyweight production scores on the rowing machines and in addition, were dependable, great liaisons between myself and the athletes. Our “Iron Oarsmen” award winners Mike Dorus and Ben Lang will be key figures in the leadership and boat moving roles as well. We are also very happy to have strong, solid athletes returning from Europe.”
Also last spring, MSOE competed in the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia which is the largest collegiate regatta. The Raiders reached the semifinals in the men’s Frosh/Novice Four with Cox and the Men’s Pair without Cox.
“By continuing to build on some very solid principles and remarkable student-athletes, I expect each athlete to improve on his or her individual performances of last year,” Stollenwerk said. “The team as a group will prosper as well from that. I also expect our novice numbers to be higher as a result of last year’s lessons, experiences and success. I believe having a team intact for the second full year now will add to the further success of the whole team but, in particular, the novices.”
Stollenwerk is hopefully that hard work during the summer will pay off during the season for MSOE.
“We had more people working out in the off season than ever before,” Stollenwerk said. “I’m very excited. We have some very good student athletes, good people, very charismatic too.”
The fall season starts at the Milwaukee River Challenge Sept. 17 for the Raiders. MSOE will also take part in the Tail of the Fox Regatta (Oct. 2), Head of the Rock Regatta (Oct. 9), Head of the Charles Regatta (Oct. 22-23) and the Head of the Eagle Regatta (Oct. 29).
“Rowing is a unique experience for the college athlete at MSOE,” Stollenwerk said. “Where else can you walk on without any experience at the beginning of the year and compete for a novice, division one or division two championship nine months later?”
