USRowing Under-23 Trials Blog: Entry 2
6/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Rising seniors Sarah Gribler (Marysville, Wash./Marysville-Pilchuk) and Ashley Kroll (Edmonds, Wash./Kamiak) are currently in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where they are attending the USRowing 2009 Under-23 National Team Camp. The camp began last week and will run through the USRowing Under-23 World Championships Trials, July 6-10, in West Windsor, N.J. Out of the camp, USRowing will choose the women's eight and quadruple sculls that will represent Team USA at the 2009 FISA World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Racice, Czech Republic (July 23-26). Additionally, the camp will choose a four, pair and double sculls that will compete at the USRowing Trials for the opportunity to qualify for the World Championships. Gribler and Kroll will be blogging about their experiences from Oak Ridge. Kroll weighs in for the first time on her experience so far at the camp.
This past week, we have been staying on a pretty continuous schedule. After the morning jog the group of 25 or so girls sits in the only room that provides air conditioning and waits for their boat lineup. Lately, for our morning rows we are paired up in smaller boats, such singles, pairs, doubles, fours, and quads. It's almost harder to be in smaller boats than eights due to the sheer fact of how much additional focus you need; steering, equal pressure with pair partner, set of the boat, every small detail counts; each stroke you are trying to make better then the last, which helps keep the boat set and from flipping. It's also a lot harder mentally when you don't have a coxswain to steer and tell you what to do.
Both our morning and afternoon rows are between a 12k and 14k. It just depends on what the coaches want to work on. Although one practice is normally more difficult every row is essentially a test of your physical and mental abilities as a rower. These coaches are looking for the fastest lineups. There is really no slacking off when it comes down to it. It's interesting the difference between camp and the Wolverine plan. Although camp is very difficult, both Sarah and I are lucky because [Michigan head coach] Mark [Rothstein] has done a great job preparing us for these high-intensity workouts.
On our days or afternoons off Sarah and I have been finding new ways to keep ourselves entertained. Lucky for us Oak Ridge held a fair this past weekend called the Secret City Festival, where they hold one of the largest World War II reenactments. It was really interesting to see how a battle was played out and also to see authentic armor. With a festival come festivities, such as the petting zoo, food booths, karaoke, bands, face painting and of course Army recruit stations, which both Sarah and I decided to put our muscles and fitness to use by "showing up" some Army boys. Sarah dominated on the climbing wall and I kicked some military booty in a pushup contest. In the end we won some sweet Army gear (a backpack, lanyards, shirts, and water bottles). Totally worth the quick sweat. Finally, we ended the day with a little line dancing and enjoyment of the 90-degree sunset.
Past Entries:6-16-09
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