Montrose Rowers Soar in and out of School

Montrose+Rowers+Soar+in+and+out+of+School

Brigid Bane ‘16 rows at Riverside Boat Club in Cambridge and has been doing so for roughly a year and a half. Both her grandfather and father (who is also her coach) participated in crew, and so she continues to keep the family tradition alive. She is a sculler, which means that she rows in a boat by herself and uses two oars, instead of rowing in one boat with seven other people. She says, “I like how it’s an outdoor sport, so I can really enjoy the bright and cheerful beauty of nature and the trees as I row. The competitive aspect really helps keep me motivated and wanting to work hard.” Typically, she competes in  races with other scullers in the spring and fall. “Last summer I got to do a program in which I went sculling with other girls. We went to club nationals and the Canadian Henley in fours, doubles, and singles.”

This past fall, Jenna McCarthy ‘19 had a bustling start to the school year. “When I first came to Montrose this year as a freshman, I did crew in the fall. It was really difficult because I came to school for three days, and then I had tryouts. The season was immediately in full swing, six days a week, two and a half hours every day after school from 3:45 to 6:15. When school lets out at 3:05, I have to race out of the school and really get moving because I’m late to practice every day (since school lets out so late and crew starts so early). I have to pack my bags during lunch, and then at the end of the day throw into my locker everything I don’t need from my last two classes. I then run out of school, get in the car (my mom is always first in line), and I have to change on my way over to crew.”

Jenna has been participating in crew at Community Rowing Incorporated for slightly over one year. She says, “I really like the other girls on my team. They’re all super nice, fun, and supportive. I like how all these girls from many different towns are able to come together in playing a competitive sport, enjoying themselves all the while. I’ve met a lot of new friends along the way, and, in crew, we are bonded together in a common goal.”

Jenna McCarthy ‘19 shares, “Crew has really taught me how to work hard: whether it’s playing sports or at school, crew keeps me driven and determined. It helps me focus when completing tasks and manage my time better when it comes to school work. Doing crew truly helps me set goals, and work towards them.” 

Brigid Bane ‘16 agreed. She said, “Crew really helps with motivation and trying to ‘stick with’ something. In a race, it can be painful, but you know you have to and that you can get through it. You learn that you can reach your goals and do more than you thought you could, no matter how difficult it may seem in the process. You just have to keep reminding yourself that pain is temporary, and that something good will come out of it in the end.”