2010 Henley Regattas Information


June 20, 2010
When we got up in the morning we packed up for a whole day at the racecourse. We were going to get to the final no matter what so we packed a lunch and clothes to stay at the course between the semi-final and final. Coach got us a cab so we didn’t have to walk all the way and could rest our legs a little longer.

We launched for the first race and had a solid warm-up. We were ready for the race and nervous about the Henley race style. The start is the most important part and you could feel the nerves and excitement throughout the boat. We were dead even with St. Joes all the way through the island and we knew from there that we just needed to push the body and we would come out on top. We made some moves and walked away then they started to walk back into us. After the Enclosures we started to pull away even further. In the end the verdict was Grand Valley by 3/4 of a length. Senior Alex Vander Ark said, “It was great to feel our boat commit to taking seats together through the second half of the race.”

It felt like we were having Henley in Philadelphia because the final of the Elite 8+ was against Drexel. We got to race two teams from the Dad Vail final and try to prove our real speed. We showed what we could do with St. Joes and we were excited to do the same with Drexel. For about 4 hours we laid around the racecourse sleeping, eating, and resting up for the final. When the final came we were just as ready as we were for our race against St. Joes.

We rowed up to the start and looking around realized that it was a beautiful day. It is quite unusual for us to race on a calm, warm, sunny day. There would be no excuses for the outcome of our race. At the start there were less nerves but just as much excitement. At the drop of the flag both the boats were off but Drexel was immediately out in front. By the end of the island Drexel was a half a length up on us. We tried to fight our way back with power tens and the strength of our body of the race, but most of the race they stayed ahead by 2/3 of a boat length. When we made moves we would gain a few seats, but they would pull back ahead of us. Despite putting all our effort into our sprint with 500 meters to go, Drexel reached the finish line before us and they were celebrating as we reached the end. Katie Phelan said of the race, “The last ten was the fastest I’ve felt all year. I’ll remember that ten for a long time.”


June 19, 2010
The Senior Women’s 4+ had their first official race today at the Henley Women’s Regatta against Reading Boat Club.

The girls unfortunately could not pull off a victory over Reading, who is favored to win the entire division. The warm up and the start were rough due to heavy tail winds that made the water choppy. Reading jumped off the starting line and gained a bow to stern lead early in the race. The girls raced hard to make up seats, but were unable to walk up on the Reading Crew. The girls were disappointed but held their heads high, knowing they left everything out on the course, and being able to make that claim in a short 1500-meter race is still a victory in the sport of rowing. The five girls raced hard and now they will rest hard, relaxing, and will enjoy exploring Henley now that they don’t have to consider staying off their feet.

Senior two-seat Lauren Holben says of the race, “It’s disappointing that we had such great competition so early on. If anything, you want to see that at the end, for a battle. But we rowed really hard, and they didn’t manage to increase the lead on us throughout the race. They never walked away. Even though we were behind, we made them fight to keep that length.”

Junior bow-seat Tamara Hillman adds, “I was really upset that we got knocked out so early after training so hard all year, but we raced the best we could and left everything out on the course. In the end we just got beat by a faster crew.”

With three rowers and a coxswain returning to the team next year, the girls will have a chance to lend their characteristic determination, spirit and energy to the Varsity program again next fall.


June 18, 2010
The Grand Valley’s Women 4+ rowed a smooth time trail this morning, and was one of sixteen teams to qualify to row in the rest of the regatta, which begins tomorrow. The time trial, unlike the rest of the regatta, was raced in a head race format, with boats separated by 30-second intervals. The rest of the races will be duels between only two crews at a time, with the loser being eliminated.

Grand Valley is the only crew from the United States to move on in their division. The girls looked sharp and relaxed, rowing at about a 32 that felt, as senior Lauren Holben described, “like butter.” They walked on the crew ahead of them, and opened up on the crew that followed them. Although their finishing time was approximated to be 4:40 by the girls, official times were not given. Nor do the girls know their placement in relation to the other boats they raced, because the qualifiers were listed in alphabetical order only.

Lauren Adlof says of the race, “It was solid. We had a good rhythm.” Stroke seat Lindsay Marshall adds, “It was a good race. We felt strong, and I think tomorrow we’re ready to go out fighting.” They also noted that they heard cheers for Grand Valley all down the course: from former GV rowers, a couple parents who made the trip, the Newcastle team we live with, other U.S. crews, and even some supporters we didn’t recognize.

The girls look forward to two races tomorrow and two on Sunday, and a continuation of the strong precedent they set this morning.


Grand Valley Rowing is returning to England for the oldest rowing event in the world.

After winning their third ACRA team points trophy in a row, the Laker Navy will be representing Grand Valley State University internationally starting this Saturday, June 12, 2010 when fourteen members of the women’s rowing team depart for England. On June 21, 2010, fifteen members of the men’s rowing team will also head to England. Grand Valley will have the opportunity to race at both the Royal Henley and Henley Women’s Regattas at Henley-on-Thames, England, two of the most prestigious events in the rowing world. Both the men and women have worked extremely hard all year for the opportunity to compete in this historic regatta.

The women’s program will send the Varsity 4+, stoke sophomore Lindsay Marshall (Brownstown, MI), three seat, sophomore Lauren Adlof (Canton, MI), two seat, senior Lauren Holben (Lansing, MI), bow seat, junior Tamara Hillman (Gregory, MI) and coxswain, sophomore Dayna Campbell (Beverly Hills, MI) to race in the Senior 4 event. This boat is coming off a first place finish at ACRA with the hopes of continuing their success abroad.

The Women’s Varsity 8+ will be competing in the Elite Eight against Division I varsity programs such Drexel and St. Josephs from Pennsylvania and Oxford. The women were moved up to the Elite division from the Senior event based upon their reputation of success and high-caliber athletes, despite the fact that they are Division II Club. The women’s Varsity 8+ is coming off a hard fought race and second place finish at ACRA. All the women are excited to race and ready to rise to any challenges they may face.

The Women’s Varsity Eight includes junior Leslie Mayville (Rochester Hills, MI) at stroke and junior Laura Marshall (Livonia, MI) at seven. Senior Sam Morgan (Clarkson, MI) and junior Kelsey Arnold (Hudsonville, MI) will row six and five seat. The bow four consists of senior Alex Vander Ark (Byron Center, MI) and senior Kendra Socks (Rochester Hills, MI) at four and three seat with senior Katie Phelan (Jackson, MI) and junior Hannah Brinza (Novi, MI) at two and bow seat. Sophomore Aly Mendels (Grand Haven, MI) will be their coxswain.

After racing at the Henley Women’s Regatta the women will have the opportunity to tour the country until they compete again in the Reading Town Regatta.

The Men’s 8+, 4+ and pair will remain in the US to train until their flight departs June 21st. After arriving in the UK, they will continue preparing and will compete in the Reading Town Regatta as well. The men will race from July 1-4 for the Temple Challenge Cup and The Prince Albert Challenge Cup. After Henley, the men will then have the opportunity to travel in England and Scotland.

Senior Mike Stoll (Jenison, MI) will stroke the men’s 8+, followed by Mark Mcilduff (Flint, MI) at seven and Geoff Sadek (Grand Rapids, MI) at six. At five seat will be Senior Breck Davis (Portage, MI), at four, senior Jeff Slater (Cedarville, MI), and at three, sophomore Jimmy Wilkie (Detroit, MI). Rounding out the lineup is sophomore two seat Marco Benedetti (Columbus, OH), senior bow seat Scott Feil (Chicago, IL), and sophomore coxswain Hallie Dorsey (Ann Arbor, MI). The men’s Varsity 8+ were finalist at ACRA and look to have a strong performance in England to cap off their season.

Sophomores Tucker Anderson (Rockford, MI), Zak Armstrong (Lawton, MI), and Aaron Gesquiere (Rochester Hills, MI) along with freshmen Chad Condon (East Grand Rapids, MI) and coxswain Dayna Campbell makeup the Varsity four. Grand Valley’s men’s Varsity 4+ are the current Dad Vail Champions and will bring that experience with them to England.

Sophomore Marty Reed (Lincoln Park, MI) and senior Dan Schoolcraft (Marietta, OH) will be the spare pair for the men’s crew. Fifth year head coach John Bancheri will accompany both teams and will be joined by second year assistant Kyle Lemoine, Bob Stoll, the Director of Student Life and Grand Valley Crew’s long time advisor, Dr. James Scott on June 21st.

Both teams have looked impressive in practice which should make for an unforgettable trip and racing experience.

Go Lakers!


Dear Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of an Entry form together with your remittance for the following:-

Organisation: Grand Valley State Univ.
Event(s): Temple(1) Prince Albert(1)

All Entries are subject to acceptance by the Committee of Management, which will meet for this purpose on 16th June, 2010. Should your Entry be rejected for any reason, you will be notified as soon as possible.

You are asked to download copies of two leaflets, NOTES and INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPETITORS and COACHES (www.hrr.co.uk/downloads/HRR_Notes_and_Instructions.pdf) and TRAFFIC RULES AND TRAINING TIMES (www.hrr.co.uk/downloads/HRR_Traffic_Rules.pdf). Please print sufficient copies for your coach and crew who are asked to take particular note of those paragraphs about Practice on the Course and the information relating to the Conduct of Races.

On arrival at Henley, will you please report to the Boat Tent Official, who will provide you with a copy of the List of Entries, allocate a rack for your boat and issue you with a boat number. The Boat Tent is open between the hours of 8.00 a.m. and 8.00 p.m.

he Crews’ Enquiry Office will be open from the morning of Thursday, 24th June and will deal with all competitors’ enquiries, including the issue of competitors’ badges and car park labels. The weighing of crews and, in particular, coxswains also takes place at this office. Where appropriate, application forms for the advanced ordering of Overseas’ Competitors’ Badges are attached.

Up to and including Tuesday, 29th June crew changes, withdrawals or requests for special times for racing must be made to the Official in the Secretary’s Tent in the Stewards’ Enclosure. From Wednesday, 30th June these issues must be dealt with at the Crews’ Enquiry Office.

IMPORTANT:

The majority of the Events at the Regatta will be oversubscribed and will require Qualifying Races. Every crew entering the student, club or junior events must be prepared to race in these Qualifying Races.

For all the Events that are oversubscribed, Qualifying Races in the form of timed races will be held on the afternoon and/or evening of Friday, 25th June. All Entries required to qualify for the Regatta will be shown on our website, www.hrr.co.uk on the morning of Monday, 21st June, along with the timetable for Qualifying Races. Crews no longer receive notification by post – it is your responsibility to check the Regatta’s Website.

Competitors are entitled to a 10% discount on Official Merchandise, including the 2010 List of Entries Long-Sleeved T-shirt – voucher available at http://www.hrr.co.uk/downloads/voucher.jpg.

Yours faithfully,

D.G.M. Grist
Secretary

Regatta Headquarters
Henley-on-Thames




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