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 Freshmen men's coach Matt Boyle is confident his novice rowers will develop into strong varsity oarsmen over the next three years. |
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Men's Freshmen Rowing Competes at IRAs
June 4, 2002
CAMDEN, NJ - The GW Men's Rowing team concluded their spring season June 1st at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships in Camden, NJ.
George Washington was represented by a men's freshman crew at the three day national championships. Unfortunately for the Colonials, the crew failed to make it through to the final day of racing after being eliminated in the semi-final round by Boston College and Purdue on Day Two. The loss was particularly disappointing for freshman coach Matt Boyle whose Colonials had defeated each of these crews during the regular season.
Boyle said his crew had prepared well for the regatta but not having another GW crew to train against in practice might have taken the edge off his young crew.
"This was my first time training a crew for the IRA. I was not initially pleased with our results but I understand that success is a process that does not happen overnight. We didn't beat as many crews as we would have liked but I do not feel that is a reflection of poor performance on the part of the oarsmen, they gave everything asked for," said Boyle.
Nonetheless, the season was a great success for GW freshman rowing. "It has been quite a long time since GW has had a men's freshman crew defeat Georgetown, Virginia, Marietta and go on to compete at the IRA. I had a great crew this year, I am incredibly proud of the effort they put in all year. These freshmen will move forward and become strong varsity oarsmen who will be able to draw on the experience of this past IRA in the coming years," concluded Boyle.
Men's Rowing relies primarily on 'walk-on' athletes. Interested freshmen are encouraged to e-mail gwcrew@gwu.edu for information on how to join the team.
