SPOTLIGHT:
Poems by Coach Megan! Including the recap of the 2015 season. These will be moved to the 2014-2015 Season page (look to your left) in the near future.
Crew Poem- 2015
So the tradition continues of the poems I write,
To recap the season, I don’t want to sound trite.
I hope to say thank you for all your achieving
And giving me a reason to keep on believing.
This year, I thought I would write an Ode to the Weather,
But realized it would take away from the way you all came together
Why focus on rain, the stupid wind or the snow,
When instead we can talk about how great you did row.
We started the year in the hall of the gym,
Where the ergs fill the length, up to the brim.
The sounds of the fans, the grunts and the screams,
Of all those winter pieces still live in my dreams.
The snow days came, and we were off about once a week
And despite those missed days, Alan and Leslie still honed your physique
But February dragged on and the snow wouldn’t stop
So the boats just sat, since the river had ice on its top.
But slowly and steadily it began to all melt
And you started to remember how rowing felt.
You donated your time and showed the novices the ropes,
And the coaches looked at this season with super high hopes.
VASRA and the Occoquan canceled the polar bear row,
At the Regional park regatta, you would have raced by the refs said “No,”
The other boats were all pouty and acting all scared,
“Just a normal day for us,” the men’s varsity four declared.
Then to Baltimore we drove with winning on our mind
But the waves were so big, the dock was hard to find.
They called the race, so we de-rigged and did what we seem to do best,
If there was a medal for packing the trailer, you would win, I can attest!
Back and forth at Georgetown did we coaches run,
And it felt like our racing season seemed to just have begun.
We were on and off the dock for heats then finals all day,
And we swelled with pride for see the team’s impressive display.
Then came the Pheonix and the novice boats showed their stuff,
I am excited about the future because they rowed and looked tough.
Then onto Champs where we survived the hill, and showed we were great,
And the Women’s junior four proved they were the best in the state!
On my many years with the team, I have seen a great deal,
But you all showed your strength in the face of quite an ordeal.
Because of the board’s hard work, we started the season with a full fleet,
Even though Mother Nature, flipped our trailer and tried to make us retreat.
Then the infamous day came along where my motor jumped ship,
Then mocked me for a week as it lay on the bottom, just out of our grip.
Onto the weeks of bad water, when the river raged like the ocean
And the days seemed to drag on, moving in slow motion.
But you group of athletes make all the trouble worthwhile,
And even get us grumpy coaches to smile.
You remind me to have fun and it will all be alright,
Even when you dropped a boat and give me a fright.
From the day I first rowed, I fell in love with this sport,
And the amount of time it takes up makes all my friends snort.
But the greatest bit of this job is being a part of this team,
And working with you all has been a dream.
You’re the best part of my day, I can’t wait until four,
It is a privilege every time I get to carry your oar.
Thanks to you all, from the bottom of my heart
For the piece of your life in which I got to be a part.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015 Season
Leslie asked for a recap of the whole 2015 crew season,
But I will keep this poem short and within reason,
Thanks to all the parents, who send us your best,
We coaches are lucky to have a team so blessed.
Let’s start with the men, they always stand out,
Because sun’s out means shirts off, is what they are about!
At the start of the year, we were making the boats,
And creating the varsity 12 got all the coach votes.
You guys have real heart and showed all of your stuff,
Proving you don’t have to row for years to be to be varsity tough.
Some were old pros and some new to this game,
And showed that one season is all you need to set the river aflame.
The men’s novice four hit the ground running,
The way you learned how to row hard and steer straight was stunning,
With your skill and great form, we know this is the start of something great,
Next year, I can’t wait to see how you can move in an eight.
The lightweight men had the coach’s hearts racing,
Taking you to weight ins always had Leslie pacing,
You learned that little things matter, on the water and on the scale,
Your catches were quick and sharp, making sure no other boats would ever prevail.
The first 4 came along and crushed the Mclean varsity to dust,
You were the leaders of this team, teaching sportsmanship is a must
The “great” in your boat name, is not just for Scott,
You proved greatness comes from rowers who give all that they got.
Let’s talk of the women, and our Novice four,
Who Liz was worried in Baltimore might not make it back to shore,
But you kept cool heads and showed you were one of the best,
We can’t wait to see what you will do next on your rowing quest.
The novice eight in the Epiphany survived some big river swells,
But also showed they were tougher than all those spiders, as well!
I hope you come back, I can’t wait to see what you will do,
But I know for sure, that the future is bright for WePo crew
The seniors of the 2nd four showed grace, strength and poise,
Even when the tops of your hands got ripped up, no one made noise.
You tackled sweep and sculling all in one year,
To think of my life without you, brings me a tear.
The first four came together rowing straight, solid and true,
Showing the new girls what you can become when you wear the blue.
From practice to race day, you put your game faces on,
Once your oars were locked in, your boat flew off the dock and was gone.
The best in the State, our amazing and intense junior four,
The power you have can be seen in the bend of your oar.
With your calm and humble attitudes no one would ever guess,
That you are beasts on race day and will always find success!
Last but not least, is my junior eleven,
Working with you has been absolutely heaven.
I never thought I would love a boat enough to put bows in my hair,
And every day since the season ended files me with despair.
I miss talking of boys and seeing you rolling your eyes at my jokes,
And looking at videos to pick apart all of your strokes.
The way you came together and were always one boat,
Brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat.
One more season down and off to the summer we go,
But the future is bright and has the coaches aglow.
Thanks for a wonderful year and all the memories I made,
I am so glad to be on the team with three strips on its blade!
Poems by Coach Megan! Including the recap of the 2015 season. These will be moved to the 2014-2015 Season page (look to your left) in the near future.
Crew Poem- 2015
So the tradition continues of the poems I write,
To recap the season, I don’t want to sound trite.
I hope to say thank you for all your achieving
And giving me a reason to keep on believing.
This year, I thought I would write an Ode to the Weather,
But realized it would take away from the way you all came together
Why focus on rain, the stupid wind or the snow,
When instead we can talk about how great you did row.
We started the year in the hall of the gym,
Where the ergs fill the length, up to the brim.
The sounds of the fans, the grunts and the screams,
Of all those winter pieces still live in my dreams.
The snow days came, and we were off about once a week
And despite those missed days, Alan and Leslie still honed your physique
But February dragged on and the snow wouldn’t stop
So the boats just sat, since the river had ice on its top.
But slowly and steadily it began to all melt
And you started to remember how rowing felt.
You donated your time and showed the novices the ropes,
And the coaches looked at this season with super high hopes.
VASRA and the Occoquan canceled the polar bear row,
At the Regional park regatta, you would have raced by the refs said “No,”
The other boats were all pouty and acting all scared,
“Just a normal day for us,” the men’s varsity four declared.
Then to Baltimore we drove with winning on our mind
But the waves were so big, the dock was hard to find.
They called the race, so we de-rigged and did what we seem to do best,
If there was a medal for packing the trailer, you would win, I can attest!
Back and forth at Georgetown did we coaches run,
And it felt like our racing season seemed to just have begun.
We were on and off the dock for heats then finals all day,
And we swelled with pride for see the team’s impressive display.
Then came the Pheonix and the novice boats showed their stuff,
I am excited about the future because they rowed and looked tough.
Then onto Champs where we survived the hill, and showed we were great,
And the Women’s junior four proved they were the best in the state!
On my many years with the team, I have seen a great deal,
But you all showed your strength in the face of quite an ordeal.
Because of the board’s hard work, we started the season with a full fleet,
Even though Mother Nature, flipped our trailer and tried to make us retreat.
Then the infamous day came along where my motor jumped ship,
Then mocked me for a week as it lay on the bottom, just out of our grip.
Onto the weeks of bad water, when the river raged like the ocean
And the days seemed to drag on, moving in slow motion.
But you group of athletes make all the trouble worthwhile,
And even get us grumpy coaches to smile.
You remind me to have fun and it will all be alright,
Even when you dropped a boat and give me a fright.
From the day I first rowed, I fell in love with this sport,
And the amount of time it takes up makes all my friends snort.
But the greatest bit of this job is being a part of this team,
And working with you all has been a dream.
You’re the best part of my day, I can’t wait until four,
It is a privilege every time I get to carry your oar.
Thanks to you all, from the bottom of my heart
For the piece of your life in which I got to be a part.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015 Season
Leslie asked for a recap of the whole 2015 crew season,
But I will keep this poem short and within reason,
Thanks to all the parents, who send us your best,
We coaches are lucky to have a team so blessed.
Let’s start with the men, they always stand out,
Because sun’s out means shirts off, is what they are about!
At the start of the year, we were making the boats,
And creating the varsity 12 got all the coach votes.
You guys have real heart and showed all of your stuff,
Proving you don’t have to row for years to be to be varsity tough.
Some were old pros and some new to this game,
And showed that one season is all you need to set the river aflame.
The men’s novice four hit the ground running,
The way you learned how to row hard and steer straight was stunning,
With your skill and great form, we know this is the start of something great,
Next year, I can’t wait to see how you can move in an eight.
The lightweight men had the coach’s hearts racing,
Taking you to weight ins always had Leslie pacing,
You learned that little things matter, on the water and on the scale,
Your catches were quick and sharp, making sure no other boats would ever prevail.
The first 4 came along and crushed the Mclean varsity to dust,
You were the leaders of this team, teaching sportsmanship is a must
The “great” in your boat name, is not just for Scott,
You proved greatness comes from rowers who give all that they got.
Let’s talk of the women, and our Novice four,
Who Liz was worried in Baltimore might not make it back to shore,
But you kept cool heads and showed you were one of the best,
We can’t wait to see what you will do next on your rowing quest.
The novice eight in the Epiphany survived some big river swells,
But also showed they were tougher than all those spiders, as well!
I hope you come back, I can’t wait to see what you will do,
But I know for sure, that the future is bright for WePo crew
The seniors of the 2nd four showed grace, strength and poise,
Even when the tops of your hands got ripped up, no one made noise.
You tackled sweep and sculling all in one year,
To think of my life without you, brings me a tear.
The first four came together rowing straight, solid and true,
Showing the new girls what you can become when you wear the blue.
From practice to race day, you put your game faces on,
Once your oars were locked in, your boat flew off the dock and was gone.
The best in the State, our amazing and intense junior four,
The power you have can be seen in the bend of your oar.
With your calm and humble attitudes no one would ever guess,
That you are beasts on race day and will always find success!
Last but not least, is my junior eleven,
Working with you has been absolutely heaven.
I never thought I would love a boat enough to put bows in my hair,
And every day since the season ended files me with despair.
I miss talking of boys and seeing you rolling your eyes at my jokes,
And looking at videos to pick apart all of your strokes.
The way you came together and were always one boat,
Brought tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat.
One more season down and off to the summer we go,
But the future is bright and has the coaches aglow.
Thanks for a wonderful year and all the memories I made,
I am so glad to be on the team with three strips on its blade!
Congratulations to our former Women's Captain Lilly Lane for committing to row for Loyola University Maryland crew Team!
Picture and article credit:
Mount Vernon Gazette
Picture and article credit:
Mount Vernon Gazette
| mountvernongazette2015-05-31_9-58-52.jpg |
West Potomac High School's Crew team participated in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association of America State Championship May 9, 2015 in Occoquan VA.
The JV 4 Women's boat captured first place to become the State Champions. They now advance to the National Championship in Mercer, NJ on May 22, 2015. Pictured L to R: Rachael Brautigam, Natalie Lorca, Liz Brodie, Juliette Burcham and Rachel Hardison. Coaches Leslie Shinners and Alan Weatherly, described this as “a rare, and very special accomplishment!"
West Potomac Junior 4 Crew boat competed at Nationals! Read the article below from the Mount Vernon Gazette for more details.
MATHEWS REGATTA 2015 RESULTS
Thanks to all who competed and volunteered. You can download the results below. The last three or so races were not included in the results. If an update is sent we'll post it.
Thanks to all who competed and volunteered. You can download the results below. The last three or so races were not included in the results. If an update is sent we'll post it.
| results-2015_4-18-15_williams_wharf_regatta.pdf |
Stotesbury 2015 Results for West Potomac Crew Boats
Girls Junior Four (Race 6a) 5:40 11th out of 63 boats
Semi Heat 2 (Race 6S2) 6:25.Lane 5 W. Potomac 6th place
Regatta Central Result List for W-JR-4
Girls Junior Eight (Race 11a) W. Potomac 30th place out of 47 boats
Regatta Central Result List for W-JR-8
Boys LtWt Eight (Race 16a) W. Potomac 12th place out of 12 boats
Regatta Central Result List for M-LtWt-8
Girls Senior Quad (Race 23a) W. Potomac 20th place out of 20 boats
Regatta Central Result List for Girls Senior Quad
Girls Senior Four (Race 27) W. Potomac 43rd place out of 58 boats
Regatta Central Result List for Girls Senior Four
Boys Senior Four (Race 28) W. Potomac 28th place out of 60 boats
Regatta Central Result List for Boys Senior Four
Boys Senior Eight (Race 30) W. Potomac 34th place out of 38 boats
Regatta Central Result List for Boys Senior Eight
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