Men's Backsplash Teaser

By Matthew Fornataro '05

Welcome back to Bucknell Men's Crew! Your issue of Backspash will soon be arriving at your doorstep. There have been many exciting developments with the team since our last issue. We write to you at the beginning of our winter training in preparation for the sprint season in the spring. We're eager to get into great shape this winter so that our Bucknell boats will once again be serious contenders at races like the Mid-Atlantic, Patriot League, and Dad Vail Regattas - even if it means braving some cold afternoon runs in Lewisburg. We're also hitting the erg room at least three times a week, pulling some serious workouts. Outside of the boat, never do I see this team come together more than in support of each other on the ergs, whether it is just regular practice or a 6K erg test, everyone recognizes the importance of our workouts on the ergs as the Susquehanna River begins to freeze over.

This year returning to the team are fourteen varsity rowers, included in which are members of the lightweight boat that brought home the Patriot League Lightweight trophy and the novice boat which made it to the semi-finals at the Dad Vail Regatta last year. New to the team this year on the novice squad are fourteen rowers and one cox, all of whom made it through their first season of rowing intact this fall.

The team participated in three regattas this fall, including a home race on the Susquehanna with Lehigh and LaSalle, and the Philadelphia Frostbite Regatta on the Schuylkill River. The Frostbite was great fun, and being a 2K race, it gave the novice a good chance to see what's in store for them come spring; it was also certainly a great reminder to the varsity of the intensity needed to get that nearly sixty foot long

The highlight of the season, however, was undoubtedly an entry in the Head of the Charles Regatta for Bucknell Men's Crew. It had been some time since a boat was sent to race in the Charles, but this year the Bison were back - with great support - to race in this world-class regatta. The entry was a varsity heavyweight eight, and being the young crew that we are, while we did not expect to set any records, our boat had a great race and finished with a respectable time. Personally, racing in this regatta that draws on the best and fastest crews in the world, and can easily be called the most prestigious regatta in the country was an experience that I will never forget.

On behalf of the Bucknell Men's Club-Varsity Crew team, I hope that you enjoy the issue of Backslpash, and that you continue to support Men's Crew at Bucknell in all of the ways that you do. Please continue to check our website for updates, including pictures from this season's races at the Philadelphia Frostbite and the Head of the Charles Regattas, and the forthcoming spring schedule. Hope to see you at a race in the spring!