U Magazine, Spring 1988

one of six members of his family to row for USO, "Nothing quite matches the feeling of striving everyday with chose in your shell to get better. I chink it's a lot like a fraternity, only closer. You develop a lot in common with your fe llow rowers." "You think you've achieved yo ur best," adds Ciani, recalling his own passage from novice to veteran. "Bue you stick with it and you get better, you see your– self improving. Once I got hooked , it became addictive."

week, and from two to six water days weekly. The men up their schedule from a combined six to eigh t weekly workouts. By this time the survivors have emerged. They've overcome bleeding hands unaccustomed to gripping oars for long periods of time, hours perched on hard shell seats, and sometimes miserable weather to develop the kind of camaraderie that results when indi– viduals band together to overcome adversity. Says former rower Neil Stehly '87,

Christine Barnett

Stadium's concrete stairs for 40 minutes in the chilly morning air. After that, rubber-legged believers in rowing's cause jog to the Sports Cen– ter's weight room, where they lift weights until 7:30 a.m. Then it's off to classes and other demands. The so-called land training is com– bined with water training. Novices begin on the Barge, a large stationary wooden plank, which the coaches utilize to teach rowing strokes, and eventually, to teach the intricacies of rowing together. In mid-January the pace quickens. The women increase their workouts from two to three land training days a

}vu stick with it andyou get better; you seeyourselfimproving" - John Ciani

"Nothingquitematches thefeeling ofstriving everyday with those in yourshell to get better;" says Neil Stehly '87 (far right).

GregJones