Lisa Saladino – (3rd year, Rochester ‘07), Varsity Assistant Coach
Height: 4’11 ¾’’
Personality Height: 7’2’’
Hometown: Utica, NY
Pet: Halo, an American Bulldog-Pitbull mix
Fort Hamer was a beautiful site to row out of the first two days of our trip. The team was able to log some meters and overall the group has already made some nice technical improvements.

Sunsets and sunrises are two of my favorite things. West Michigan has some of the best sunsets I have ever seen but the one we watched at Anna Maria Island was fantastic as well. It’s great to be in sunny Florida. Also among my favorite things are big fancy boats, champagne and classy parties. I got to see all three things during our New Year’s Eve Regatta in Naples last night. We added to the flare of the classy parties by providing them with some rowing entertainment as we raced back and forth, Yacht to sailboat. Our audience waved, cheered and asked us what school we attended. It was like the Henley Royal Regatta but in Florida and Grand Valley was the only team invited. I think my favorite part was when I convinced the police officer to start the race with his boat horn. Classic.

For dinner last yesterday Ryan Kasley’s mom, Tina Sentovich, along with Luanne and Bruce Sickles (Utica, NY shoutout!) provided the entire group with a wonderful dinner. It was great to have everyone together for a relaxed, fun evening that even included piano-playing and songs. We spent New Year’s day soaking up the sun on the beach and hanging out on the pier. It’s off to Sarasota tomorrow.

John Michael Bancheri – Head Coach GVSU Rowing Club (7th Year)

Height: 6’3″
Weight: Less than my Coach Boat
6k Erg score: STILL IN PROGRESS
Coaching Specialty: Cooking Italian Food
Most Fun Part of My Job: Getting to Drive the Best Motor Boat
Most Appreciated Quote: Hey Admiral and Johnny Apple Seed of Rowing
My Mentors: Bob Garbutt, and the many mentors in my career
Costa’s Favorite Quote From Coach: “NOOOOOO”
Hometown: Delia, Sicly and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

There is a lot to report on this trip. Technically we are working on the same things when I fist started coaching, only now we have been able to refine and develop a great approach in producing technically competent rowers. Enough about rowing, the Alumni kicked in some great stuff. The Manatee County people/workers have been very supportive and have been a great help. The Palmetto High School coaches are great and make me want to come back every month. Well to tell you the truth it is really the weather at this time of the year but don’t tell Coachs Trish and John.

On to the great stuff, I assigned myself the duty to travel to Tampa International Airport to pick up Costas Ciungan ’14. On my way there and as I was driving along the Sunshine Skyway, there was something to my port side; I mean left side of my car. I saw the most beautiful sunset. Was it an omen or was it a beautiful sunset? Ahh who cares, after a few down the past weeks that sunset told me everything was going to be fine.

I was early at the airport and I pulled into the cell phone waiting lot. This was the Taj Mahal of cell phone lots. New pavement, an gigantic tote board for arriving flights, and a suggestion that you do not leave the lot until 25 minutes after the arrival of your party. It had fantastic bath rooms, vending machines, and do you believe this: wireless internet. Enjoying the time with my boys, coaching my team, and seeing how dark I can get in ten days.

Three Questions from the editor.

1. What was the first day like back on the water coach?

Three words, “Shake Down crews”

2. Who do you think will make the varsity boat?

Well I was thinking from bow to stern it would be Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and stroke will be Rudolf. If Dasher improves her technique at winter training camp then Dasher will be in the Varsity boat.

3. Will Minnie the Moocher be back from last Years Winter Training camp?

Well I can’t be certain, it all depends on the speed of the boat and the development of Touch. Minnie Loves fast boats, especially fast NEW boats. Typical Woman.

Coach B isms

1. NO Drill: “NO”, “NO”, “Almost”, “NO!”, “Fantastic”, “NO”
2. “If you stay at the dock any longer I will have to start
charging you rent.”
3. Difference between 1st and 2nd place = Want to or 1 2
4. the proving grounds = “Gold Mine”

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