Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks wrap up successful training trip to Texas
1/24/2012 9:40:00 PM | Men's Rowing, Women's Rowing
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh rowing team traveled to Austin, Texas before classes started to kick off their winter training session. Austin Rowing Club hosted the group of 56 rowers and four coaches in a very productive week of training and technical work as the squad prepares for its first spring race on Mar. 24.
“It was an incredibly productive week for the team,” said Lehigh head coach Brian Conley. “It allowed us to focus a great deal on technical aspects of the stroke without the stresses of preparing for an immediate race coming up.”
The varsity crews mixed with freshmen and began to develop a complete team environment. The team rowed well over 100 miles on the trip, taking one afternoon off to enjoy some rest and some barbecue cuisine from the local establishments. Rowing approximately 24 miles each day should help start off the team's winter season on a strong foot.
“Since returning from break, we have already seen the whole team returning in better shape than last year with a large number of those athletes setting personal bests on their 6k erg tests and a few breaking into the top 10 all-time scores for their respective distances,” said Conley. “We are excited about what the spring will bring, but we have a lot of work and even more erging to do to put us where we want to be at the end of the season. If we do the things we need to in the next couple months, the team will reap the benefits on the water.”
Senior captain Bryce Hurst is a Dallas, Texas native who quickly saw the benefits of the trip.
“Returning to Austin for the first time in three years, the trip helped bond the team and allow individuals to work on their rowing,” said Hurst. “The first few days were spent mixing varsity and freshmen, getting a lot of miles in rowing by six's. This helped the team get to know each other; this was the first time the team was mixed.”
Senior captain Bryce Hurst is a Dallas, Texas native who quickly saw the benefits of the trip.
“Returning to Austin for the first time in three years, the trip helped bond the team and allow individuals to work on their rowing,” said Hurst. “The first few days were spent mixing varsity and freshmen, getting a lot of miles in rowing by six's. This helped the team get to know each other; this was the first time the team was mixed.”
Each day the team had three practices, a morning row, a midday land workout and another rowing practice in the afternoon. Towards the end of the week, the team broke up into their individual squads and gained a lot of experience rowing by eights for pieces up to 30 minutes long.
Not only was it a valuable experience on the water, but also off.
“Rooming with the freshman allowed the varsity to bond more with the team and get to know them,” said Hurst. “Overall, the trip was a success and set the team up for a strong spring season.”
Lehigh hits the water on Mar. 24 for its first action of the spring at the Murphy Cup on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Check back to Lehighsports.com for continued updates leading into the season.
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