The Grand Valley State University Men’s Varsity 4+ rowed in a qualifying race today in order to move on at the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England. In order to make it to the elimination rounds in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup, the Men’s Varsity 4+ had to place in the top eight of today’s time trial; 32 other teams were competing for a place in the bracket. While the times of the qualifying crews were not given, the times of those that did not qualify suggest that the race was extremely competitive. A solid middle of the race, along with an all-out sprint at the end ensured that the Lakers’ four would get the opportunity to race in the bracket against the likes of Princeton, Harvard, Georgetown, and other top universities from round the world.

The four consisted of sophomore Tucker Anderson at stroke, Zak Armstrong at three, Marco Benedetti at two, Aaron Gesquire at bow, and Dayna Campbell as coxswain.

Official results are available here.

Martin Reed, Stroke seat of the Spare Pair

Sophomore, History

Lincoln Park, MI

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School

Yesterday June 21, I took my first Trans-Atlantic trip to England. I had mixed emotions about the long journey ahead. I was pumped to go to a country that I always wanted to see. I was nervous about how everything was going to be in England. I felt homesick and I missed my girlfriend. At 4:00AM Monday morning, it was go time. I was groggy but ready to go. All the training that happened, all the time spent on technique, and all the time trials were about to pay off.

At 4:45AM my dad dropped me off in one of the Grand Valley Parking lots. The men were beginning to assemble. We filed into open seats in the cars and drive to the airport. From there we were rushed into baggage check in and hurried to the gate. We got on the first plane and flew to Chicago. Three hours later in Chicago, we boarded the London-bound plane. We take off from Chicago and are on our way to Henley.

The Trans-Atlantic flight was long about 8 hours of solid airtime. What was cool to me was seeing Michigan and much of Canada’s cities before flying over the ocean. Once over the ocean, there was nothing really exciting to see out h the window. As we were coming into London’s Heathrow airport, the sun was rapidly setting and it was gorgeous. The red sky seemed to travel for miles. Looking down I could see much of Ireland and Great Britain. It was cool to see the whole outline of Great Britain before we touched down.

When we landed it was official, we were in England. The feeling was unreal. I am in England. Customs was easy to get in to. I filled out a card that explained all my information. In my opinion, going to Britain is easier than going to Canada. We were awake for some of the night. Coach B was the first to greet us after customs. We gathered our luggage and headed for the bus. We crammed the small bus with our oars and the trailer with our luggage.

As we were traveling through the outskirts of London into the city of Henley, it was dark and eerie. Not much light reflected the road we were on. Then we reach Henley around midnight. We pile all of our stuff into the Henley house and begin to settle down for the night. The next morning we got up, made breakfast and went to the Henley course. On the way, we were walking by old buildings that resembled buildings from Greenfield Village.

As we went over our boats, I was surprised to see our boats that we rented were in good shape. My pair partner and I adjusted to the boat real well. Going down the course was an experience of its own. I was passing old boats that moved rather quick but did not wake us out. It was really cool to see really good rowers pass you by rowing tickless. Coming down the race course was a battle. The lanes are only two boats wide and there are two booms that lay in the water that separate the lane where boat go to the starting line and the race course.

After the row, the team went to an English supermarket. It was different because all the foods and items were scattered differently than a supermarket in the US. You would pay more money for lesser portions. It was different seeing drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi in different bottles.

I cannot wait for the next days to come here in England. It is a completely different world than in the States.

By: Martin Reed, Stroke seat in the Spare Pair

Sophomore, History

Lincoln Park, MI

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic High School

Yesterday June 21, I took my first Trans-Atlantic trip to England. I had mixed emotions about the long journey ahead. I was pumped to go to a country that I always wanted to see. I was nervous about how everything was going to be in England. I felt homesick and I missed my girlfriend. At 4:00AM Monday morning, it was go time. I was groggy but ready to go. All the training that happened, all the time spent on technique, and all the time trials were about to pay off.

At 4:45AM my dad dropped me off in one of the Grand Valley Parking lots. The men were beginning to assemble. We filed into open seats in the cars and drive to the airport. From there we were rushed into baggage check in and hurried to the gate. We got on the first plane and flew to Chicago. Three hours later in Chicago, we boarded the London-bound plane. We take off from Chicago and are on our way to Henley.

The Trans-Atlantic flight was long about 8 hours of solid airtime. What was cool to me was seeing Michigan and much of Canada’s cities before flying over the ocean. Once over the ocean, there was nothing really exciting to see out h the window. As we were coming into London’s Heathrow airport, the sun was rapidly setting and it was gorgeous. The red sky seemed to travel for miles. Looking down I could see much of Ireland and Great Britain. It was cool to see the whole outline of Great Britain before we touched down.

When we landed it was official, we were in England. The feeling was unreal. I am in England. Customs was easy to get in to. I filled out a card that explained all my information. In my opinion, going to Britain is easier than going to Canada. We were awake for some of the night. Coach B was the first to greet us after customs. We gathered our luggage and headed for the bus. We crammed the small bus with our oars and the trailer with our luggage.

As we were traveling through the outskirts of London into the city of Henley, it was dark and eerie. Not much light reflected the road we were on. Then we reach Henley around midnight. We pile all of our stuff into the Henley house and begin to settle down for the night. The next morning we got up, made breakfast and went to the Henley course. On the way, we were walking by old buildings that resembled buildings from Greenfield Village.

As we went over our boats, I was surprised to see our boats that we rented were in good shape. My pair partner and I adjusted to the boat real well. Going down the course was an experience of its own. I was passing old boats that moved rather quick but did not wake us out. It was really cool to see really good rowers pass you by rowing tickless. Coming down the race course was a battle. The lanes are only two boats wide and there are two booms that lay in the water that separate the lane where boat go to the starting line and the race course.

After the row, the team went to an English supermarket. It was different because all the foods and items were scattered differently than a supermarket in the US. You would pay more money for lesser portions. It was different seeing drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi in different bottles.

I cannot wait for the next days to come here in England. It is a completely different world than in the States.

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 Sock s (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!