By Mark R. Wilson, Stetson Rowing Head Coach
On a blustery and cool afternoon Stetson Rowing head coach Mark Wilson joined Team Canada at practice in DeLand. The Canadian National Team Women have been training at Stetson for the past week and have another week on their winter training trip before heading back to the London Training Center in Ontario. Coach John Keogh was happy to have Coach Mark join in the launch to observe the 8, Light 2x and Heavy 1x. Team Canada is currently training at Stetson and has been returning to DeLand for the water and easy small town atmosphere for years and enjoys coming back for lots of kilometers of rowing.
This year the team's women have been focusing on their boat assignments rowing more specifically in the 8, 2-, 2x's, 1x and 4x. Having the ability to spread out and row all the boats has been productive and by utilizing the local YMCA for the teams lifting has also been a positive for the team. The athletes eat at the Stetson University dining hall which is a treat for Stetson rowers as well. “Seeing national team athletes eat is impressive!” exclaimed Stetson Captain Emmie Wenzell. The women typically work out three times a day and need to replenish lots of calories.
While in the launch with Coach Keogh, Coach Wilson's passion for the sport was reinforced by listening to Keogh talk with similar subtleties in his coaching as Wilson uses. “It is so wonderful to watch and listen to a coach of John's caliber and hear him say and explain nearly the same thing as I do.” shares Wilson. “During the practice small points of emphasis were made for each boat and each athlete, which is so great. John does not over complicate anything.” continues Coach Wilson.
Another highlight of the outing for Coach Wilson was to observe the pre- and post-row execution by the coaches and by long time coxswain Lesley Thompson-Willie. Lesley is a national icon in Canada and is the only rower in the world that has competed in seven Olympic Games. She is on track to compete in 2016 in Rio as well. “Seeing the ultimate respect and control of her athletes and boat is very impressive,” says Wilson. She started her Olympic team odyssey by coxing the 1984 games in the Four and has earned five Olympic Medals and will certainly be going for a sixth in Rio de Janeiro next year. (She retired for the 2004 games and returned in 2005)
Stetson Rowing, Stetson University and the City of DeLand appreciate the Canadian Team and wish them the best as they continue training and hope they do the best in this pre-Olympic year's competition. Just come in second… to the USA!
