SSU crew team rowing their way to success Looking for a great way to get some fresh air? An opportunity to push your body to its limit? Or maybe you are looking for an excuse to get up at the crack of dawn five days a week? The SSU Crew team might be for you. The Crew Team is not an official sport here on the SSU campus, but that doesn’t mean that team takes crew lightly. With practices four times in the morning, and two times in the afternoon these athletes push everyday for the common passion of crew that they all share. Gennaro De Flice, a junior at SSU recalls his favorite moments being a part of crew. “Nothing gets my adrenaline rushing more then competing in a race. Looking around me and seeing the opponents boats gaining on me pushes me and makes me want to work even harder.” The team was formed in 2003 by the coach, Mark Niemann and a group of students. During the fall season the fifty to sixty co-ed crew team competes in three to four regattas (A regatta is a meet/match/competition that the team participates in). In the spring season the team steps it up to practicing up to six days a week, occasional twice a day practices and aims for four to five regattas a season. Junior Tom Dillon has been rowing crew for three years now for SSU and despite of all the practice still loves the sport. To him the working out is relaxing and definitely does not regret joining. The team spends most morning out on the waters of the Petaluma River, and the afternoons mainly focusing on cardio or working with rowing machines at local high schools. New members that join to the team are branded as the “novice” members, while after sticking it out for a year they move up to “varsity.” About thirty new members joined the team this season and more will likely join in the spring. The team participates in not only practices and regattas, but also holds many fundraisers throughout the season to earn money for their sport. With fundraisers such as crew lessons for the community, and renting out equipment, they also participate in two to three hour races to raise money and awareness. These fundraisers, also with the help of local donors, provide the team with the essentials they need to compete. These fundraisers and daily practices strengthen the team and help the players unite as one. Dillon believes that the team is full of “great, true, and honest people” who he has a great sense of respect for. “We are like one big family.” Dillon says, stating the fact that these people rely on each other and push each other to be the best they can, while every day putting faith in their teammates. More information on participating or supporting the SSU Crew team, their website is http://www.students.sonoma.edu/clubs/crew/index.html. Their next regatta is the Head of the Port on October 16 in Davis.
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