The Women’s and select Men’s Team athletes are currently training in Sunny Florida. On behalf of the entire team, we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and invite you all to follow the Athlete’s and Coaches’ Daily Blogs, the links to which can be found below. They are looking forward to a fun and productive week of rowing and sightseeing in the Sunshine State!

Marco Benedetti (2012) – Team President, Captain

“Grand Valley Rowing challenges its student-athletes to reach the
highest level to which they aspire both academically and athletically,
while continuing to build and sustain a nationally competitive
intercollegiate rowing program.”

The GVSU Rowing Team is proud to recognize the following varsity
athletes who achieved a high level of academic success this semester.
These student-athletes contribute to the Rowing Team having one of the
highest GPA’s of any student organization on campus.

4.0: Marco Benedetti, Costas Ciungan

3.50 – 3.99: Lauren Adlof, Anthony Anzell, Amy Brunner, Austin Burris, Mia Edelhauser,
Sam Fearnow, Ryan Kasley, Kersten O’Brien, Staci O’Brien, Rebecca
Studer, Justin Wegner.

3.0 – 3.49: Kyle Barnhart, Dayna Campbell, Beth Czarnecki, Christopher
Deneau, Dominic Kootsillas-Conybeare, Kylen Pattermann, Ken Pierson, Marty Reed
Tom Sawiki, Chelsea Shoop, Molly Visel, Jimmy Wilkie, Andrew
Zwierzynski

When I think of Grand Valley Rowing I think of passion, drive, and determination. These three skills that I have learned have carried over into my academic career as well. I never knew I could obtain such great opportunities from what rowing has taught me. Also, in the past four years, I have had countless experiences most would not have had in a lifetime. I often wonder how many other students there are that have had the privilege of traveling, not only around the country, but internationally as well. And, how many teams at GV can say they are national champions, four years in a row? I could have never fathomed the bond and friendships I have made over the years with my fellow teammates. The team has not succeed because of one person, but because of many teammates working together for a common goal… to win! Rowing has taught me success does not come easily; it must be worked for. I can personally say I never knew how far I could push myself, not just physically, but also mentally until rowing. I am proud to say I am apart of a team that strives to be the best, and that team is Grand Valley Rowing.

It’s been a great fall season. The GVSU rowers have been so very successful. And we have had an outpouring of support from you – their parents/families and supporters of our program. Hmmm….success of the rowing team has been fed by the support of the families? Or does the success of the rowing team feed the support of the families? Kind of like the chicken and the egg.

I can hardly begin to thank each and every one of our parents for all you have done this fall season. We had a terrific showing at Family Day, LOTS of parents/families/supporters attending the regattas, TONS of food to feed hungry rowers, cash donations to purchase what was not donated and to send travel food with the team, parents and families helping out at the regattas, setting up grills, tables, grilling, serving, transporting supplies, organizing and thoughts and prayers from all of you for Rachel Ring’s family. It’s Great to know we have such an awesome group of rowers, family, and supporters here at Grand Valley Rowing.

I can’t even begin to name everyone who participated and helped in so many ways. Thanks to ALL of you for pitching in. I do want to acknowledge and thank the hosts of each of the regattas as they did a little bit extra to help pull the meals together.

Diane West – Head of the Grand, Lansing
Lina Kalyvas – Head of the Eagle, Indianapolis
Sue Marshall, Tina Shoop – GVSU Frostbite

And an extra special thank you to Carolyn Ciungan, our parent coordinator. Carolyn stepped up just before Family Day and volunteered. She has done an awesome job organizing and coordinating. It’s a big job and I am sure we all appreciate all she has done.

I am really looking forward to the spring season and hope you are too. We’ll be back at it, asking for help and support , and I am pretty sure we will get the same response this spring. I think we are all very blessed to be a part of the GVSU Rowing Family, so this Holiday, let’s say an extra prayer of thanks for your sons/daughters, the coaches, and all the parents,families, and supporters who are so much a part of this wonderful family.

Chris Scott