As spring arrives and athletes anticipate a season free from restrictions, a large crew team’s strong Sixth Form—and eager underclassmen—look to excel and win medals.
For Head Coach Mr. Jonathan Stephanik, regaining a sense of normalcy has started the season on a good note.
“I’m really looking forward to just getting back on the river,” Coach Stephanik said. “Our season was cut short last year due to COVID, and [the school] limited the amount of races we were able to do and travel [to], so getting out there and just having the seniors and juniors get an opportunity to compete at a high level [is great].”
With sixty athletes on the team this year and a shortage of boats due to the effects of Hurricane Ida, Coach Stephanik and his staff have to juggle their time and efforts between novices and veterans. But the challenges in practice are minor compared to the positives of having a large team and the culture that comes with it.
“We have a really well-rounded group,” Coach Stephanik said. “We have seven or eight guys in the play, we have four or five guys that traveled this past week to go do robotics, couple guys that are in mock trial, and then we also have a few guys doing Honor Council and a few different clubs, so I think just being so well-rounded, it definitely adds to the culture.”
The team builds camaraderie through yearly events like paintball and baseball games, bringing the rowers closer and making the team stronger. And with hopes of medal-winning performances on the biggest stages, a strong team sets expectations high.
“We have a really, really, really strong and deep senior class,” Sixth Form Captain Wells Benson said. “I think there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have a chance to medal in our varsity quad and varsity four. I feel like our team culture has been the best it’s been in a long time.”
The crew team competes in regional races known as “Manny Flicks” in Philadelphia throughout the season to prepare for the three biggest races at the end: the Philadelphia City Championships, the Stotesbury Regatta, and the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships Regatta. At each one, Sixth Formers hope to go out with a bang.
“I hope, whatever boat I’m in, whether it’s the quad or four or double, I hope to win Cities, States and Nationals,” Benson said. “That’s been [the Sixth Formers’] goal since we got to experience all three of those races when we were freshmen.”
Despite going for gold, the captains plan on enjoying their final season.
“The goal is to win as many races and get as many medals as we can and advance as far into the season as possible,” Sixth Form Captain Wyatt Johnson said. “And then, all at the same time, go out there and have fun and do what we like the most, which is to win.”
“You don’t show up to practice just because you need a sports credit or you have to—you show up to practice because you want to win.”
Conrad Reller ’22
The Sixth Form rowers also hope to leave their mark on the team and its reputation in the school community. For some, that means focusing the culture on hard work and a desire to win.
“The biggest thing for me is just making sure to teach the younger guys that when you get out on the water, you do your best,” Sixth Form Captain Conrad Reller said. “You don’t show up to practice just because you need a sports credit or you have to—you show up to practice because you want to win.”
Bringing medals back to Haverford is the way the team leaders look to pave the path forward.
“This program has given a lot to me and other seniors on the team, and I really want to spread that among as many people as possible,” Sixth Form Captain Jake Brewington said. “If I can go out and I can do well this spring, then other people can see that and, hopefully, that’ll inspire younger guys to want to put effort into it too.”
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