Men's Rowing Visits the Czech Republic
By Brooks Hatch
The Oregon State men’s crew team’s trip to the Czech Republic will be part culture, part competition and part audition for interim coach and the six returnees on the manifest.
The Beavers left this past Tuesday for a 16-day tour that begins with a week in Prague and concludes at the June 30-July 2 Czech Republic National Championships in Trebon.
Six senior and six underclassmen oarsmen went, accompanied by two returning coxswains. They’ll be split among an 8- and 4-man shell; the 8 features two seniors, six underclassmen and a junior coxswain; the 4 features all seniors, with a sophomore coxswain.
"They’re our top 12 guys," Todd said, speaking on Monday before the final practice prior to departure. "The guys who are returning will train together so we’ll get the benefit of guys getting used to each other.
"We’ve put together one of the best 4s we can. It allows both boats to be really competitive, because we’re going up against good competition.
"We don’t know what to expect. We’re used to Washington, Cal and Stanford, we know what they’re going to do and can anticipate. Here in international competition we can’t. We don’t know how good these guys are."
Todd wants this tour to be as memorable for the 2006 Beavers as the one he took to England in 1997 with the University of Washington team. The Huskies competed in the Henley Royal Regatta, one of the most prestigious events in rowing.
"It was a great experience, one of the highlights of my college career," Todd said. "It’s just something I’ve never forgotten. I want to be able to bring that experience to these guys."
The Huskies spent an eye-opening week training in Cambridge before the Royal Regatta.
"Seeing the history, the tradition ... it makes you realize that rowing is such an international sport," he said. "It’s huge in Europe, way bigger than it is here. There are race courses all over Europe.
"I think seeing that the Vltava River, which runs right through Prague, has a number of clubs on it, is really going to get the guys going, ‘Whoa! This is a lot different than when we’re on the Willamette.’
"There it’s us and the women’s team out there and we don’t see anyone else. It will make them realize it’s an international sport. Hopefully some of these seniors will continue on after college, and will see the value of what we’re doing."
Departing senior said he couldn’t wait to get in the plane.
"We get to go to a new place, see the different history there, and get a little international competition," he said. "I plan on furthering my rowing career, but it’s sort of my last hurrah with Oregon State.
"These guys are all my best friends. So I couldn’t ask for anything more than to spend some extra time with them."
Junior sees it as a chance to explore a different country, and share a common interest with Czech rowers.
"It’s exciting to chat with the people you’re going to compete against, and learn more about their culture," he said. "It also lets us train for a month longer, which will help us get a better start on next year."
OSU’s Varsity 8 placed 12th at the recent Intercollegiate Rowing Association regatta in New Jersey. It’s crew’s unofficial national championship, since the NCAA doesn’t sponsor men’s rowing.
This tour gives Schanno and the other returnees an early jump on the 2006-07 season.
"They really get a chance to develop and come together with guys they didn’t get to row in the same (boat) with," Todd said. "They’ll get a little more comfortable with each other and hopefully it will lead to a good performance next fall, with guys staying a little more fit over the summer."
Todd can also show he’s ready for his first head coaching position. An assistant since 2002, he’ll be OSU’s interim coach this year, but he wants the position full-time.
"We’re not going there for a crazy Eurotrip, or anything like that," he said. "We’re serious, we’re prepared to race, going about it professionally, and going there to represent Oregon State and everyone involved in our program."
