Levi McAtee '22

BRUNSWICK, Maine— Last Friday Bowdoin Rowing hosted the first annual Henry Zietlow Ergathon. Dozens from the Bowdoin community joined relay teams that completed marathons in Henry’s honor. It is hard to overstate the love that filled the room.

On December 30th, 2018, Henry completed a marathon erg at the Power House, a fitness center near his home. The Power House later reflected “while the rest of the community rowed the distance in teams of three, Henry was the single person to complete the challenge on a solo mission. His focus, athleticism, determination, and skill were on full display that day and it completely defined the event for everyone present to witness it.”

Two weeks later, on January 14th, we lost Henry to a car accident. Words can’t describe our devastation, our heartbreak.

This year, on January 11th, 2020, the Power House hosted another erg marathon— in Henry’s honor. Bowdoin Rowing thought that was a brilliant idea, a wonderful way to celebrate the life of Henry and his dedication to rowing. In fact, we loved it so much, we decided to host an erg marathon of our own!

The first annual Henry Zietlow Ergathon took place in Smith Union on Friday, February 7th. The turn out was shocking. We had nearly 20 groups, over 100 people, show up to row. Several campus organizations (namely Bowdoin Women’s Soccer, Bowdoin Women’s Volleyball, Bowdoin Women’s Rugby, Bowdoin Men’s Rugby, and the Peucinian Society) joined us.

All participants wore headbands, a trademark of Henry’s, in hopes of channeling his spirit. Many of the headbands were purple, to honor the women’s rowing team at Holy Cross. They recently endured a tragedy terribly similar to ours.

The celebration started with some heart warming words from Ben Ross ’22 and Matt Donnelly ’22. Together, they said the following: “Henry was our dearest friend and we miss him so much. He was an inspiration to all of us. Everything he was a part of, he pursued with passion, determination, and love, and he made every group that he was a part of better. Henry made our team, and the whole Bowdoin community, more loving, harder working, and happier… Every stroke we take we take for him…let his passion and loving spirit inspire you in the days, weeks, and months ahead.” Coach Doug then stepped forward to speak in turn. He spoke of Henry’s spirit, his Free Speed, and reminded everyone present that the day first and foremost was a celebration of Henry’s life.

Shorty thereafter, the voice of junior coxswain Andy Bolender ’21 echoed through the room. “Attention… Go!” And we were off. Rhianna’s 2010 hit “Only Girl (In The World)” took us out of the gate. The room filled with excitement, shouts of encouragement, and energy. Amazingly— impossibly— that energy remained in the room for three and a half hours! Non-stop music, shouting, cheering, and not a single lapse or break. Just pure Free Speed.

Cameron Snow ’22 completed the entire marathon on his own. Dozens of participants surrounded him to guide him through the last few meters. It was an astonishing performance, a testament to the true strength and iron will Henry inspires.

The last team to finish was the Women’s Rugby Team. Every single participant swarmed Alice Hawkins ’22 as she pulled the last 1000 meters. It was a sight to behold. A true showing of camaraderie, of friendship, of love. The Bowdoin community has never looked stronger.

At the end of the day, there was pizza for all and more than enough willing hands to help clean up. When asked to comment, Matt Donnelly enthusiastically recalled “the turnout, enthusiasm, and positive energy that the Bowdoin community brought to the first annual Ergathon in Henry’s honor was astounding. For three hours I did nothing but smile because of the love I could feel all around me. It was such an amazing way to remember Henry and his lasting presence on our team, and one of the most memorable days I have had here at Bowdoin.”

Bowdoin Rowing would like to thank our captains Julie and Gianni, our coaches Doug and Ry, the athletic department, and student activities for making our event a reality. It was a truly special day.

Already word has spread around campus about how amazing the Henry Zietlow Memorial Ergathon was. Rumor has it next year’s turnout will be even better! All are welcome!

BRUNSWICK, Maine — Bowdoin Rowing is celebrating another year of fast racing and lifelong friendships. From our trip to South Carolina at the start of the Spring, to our success at the Head of the Charles toward the end of the Fall, we have a lot to relish in.

2019 started with heart-breaking news. On January 14, beloved teammate Henry Zietlow ‘22 died in a car accident. The team gathered together at the start of theSpring semester to recall memories of him and mourn his loss. On February 2, the entire team attended his memorial service in Studzinski Recital Hall. For many, the loss of Henry gave the sport more purpose—someone to pull for, think of, and give to. 

During winter training, several rowers supplemented hundreds of thousands of meters on the ergs with hours of lifting in the gym. Many found inspiration in the “Star Board”— a small billboard where team members publicly tracked their training. Rowers earned stars after every workout, and competition was fierce to see who would earn the most. In the end, Walter Gadsby ’20 triumphed.

Eventually, each rower’s winter work was put to the test. In an all-out intra-team competition, Bowdoin rowers forsook their bonds of friendship to engage in Coach Doug’s cut-throat, merciless 2k erg competition: the Polar Bear Sprints. Tears were shed, vomit was spilled, and a mighty few managed to pull their way through a time trial and two 2ks to the finals. After a quick break and a little breakfast, it was a dog fight for the gold. In the end, a glorious six emerged victorious. On the women’s side, Allie Gross ’20 took 1st, Julie Scholes ’20 2nd, and Claudia Babcock 20’ 3rd. On the men’s side, Walter Gadsby ’20 finished 1st, Cameron Snow ’22 2nd, and Matt Donelly ’22 3rd. 

After the climax of winter training, Bowdoin Rowing geared up and flew down to Summerton, South Carolina, home of Camp Bob Cooper. (A huge thanks to Coaches Doug and Ry for driving the trailer full of shells the full 1018 miles!) On the way down, a few teammates heckled Kenny Lamm ’20 for wearing his Camp Bob tank through security. “How did he get those guns passed the TSA?” quipped one teammate in faux astonishment. Upon arrival, rowers made themselves at home in what can only be described as one of the most down-to-Earth places there ever was. With little luxury, Camp Bob leaves room for two things and two things only: hard work and creative fun. In addition to daily double practices, workouts, and group runs, the team enjoyed myriad games of capture the flag, volleyball, basketball, dodgeball, and spike ball, as well as a dance party, a trip to Charleston, a talent show, some fire-side storytelling, and a voyage to the local alligator preserve. The team also christened the latest addition to our fleet, the Free Speed, in honor of Henry Zietlow ’22.

 

By the time the Spring season began, Bowdoin Rowing was ready. Equipped with months of winter training, the Free Speed, and an inexhaustible competitive spirit, the team excelled. At the New England Rowing Championship, all seven of our boats medaled. The Women’s 1V, Men’s 1V, Men’s 2V, and Men’s N1 all placed first. Additionally, the Men’s 3V and Women’s N1 both placed second, and the Women’s 2V placed third. Coaches Doug and Ry were both extremely proud of how well the team performed. Several weeks later, Bowdoin Rowing competed at Dad Vail, the world’s largest collegiate regatta. Of Bowdoin’s six boats entered, 5 of them made it to the grand finals—an impressive feat given much of the competition hailed from Division 1 and Division 2 programs. The Men’s N1 and 1V boats placed 4th in their respective grand finals, while the Women’s N1, Women’s 2V and Men’s 3V each placed 5th. After Dad Vail, the team said their farewells at the Spring Banquet and parted ways for the Summer.

Just a few months later, Coaches Doug and Ry found themselves setting up the team canopy to recruit unsuspecting members of the Class of 2023. Indeed, they did better than ever before. An incredible 28 novices joined and completed the Fall season, making Bowdoin Rowing one of the largest teams on campus.

Throughout the Fall, Doug and Ry spent their mornings coaching the varsity crews and their afternoons teaching the novices. Rowers endured five water practices and two lifts per week, and many put in extra work on the ergs. By the end of the season, Bowdoin’s fleet had improved remarkably, and was ready to take on the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR), one of the most competitive rowing events in the world. While the whole team rowed well, our top boats did phenomenally. The Women’s 1V placed 15th, securing an automatic bid for next year’s race, and the Men’s 1V placed 4th, medaling at the Charles by a mere five hundredths of a second!

All things considered, Bowdoin Rowing has had a remarkable year. Everyone has put in an incredible amount of work, and recently, we’ve been rewarded for it. A few weeks ago, it was confirmed that Bowdoin is sending two boats to the Henley Royal Regatta in 2020—in no small part because of the performance of the Men’s 1V at the HOCR. In excitement for what’s to come, the Polar Bears are putting in more and more work. Rowers are currently training in the gym six days a week, preparing to go faster than ever before.

Inspired by the loss of a beloved teammate and friend, encouraged by two brilliant coaches, and invigorated by each other’s passion, Bowdoin Rowing is incedibilby proud of its performance in 2019 and is looking forward to the New Year.

To all our friends, family, alumni, and supporters, Happy New Year! Let’s Go Black!

BRUNSWICK, Maine —Bowdoin Rowing held a banquet last Sunday evening to celebrate, laugh about, and relish in, a successful Fall season. We feel accomplished as a competitive force, but moreover, as a warm, vibrant, growing community.

Bowdoin Rowing practiced vigorously on and off the water this Fall. We enjoyed five water practices and two lifts per week, and had many members put in extra work on the ergs. Novice turnout this year was impressive; a total of 28 new members completed the season from start to finish. Between the many new novices and the myriad returning varsity members, the team is bigger than it has ever been in recent history— flaunting a grand total of 84 members (about 5% of all of Bowdoin).

To our great excitement, the hard work and record participation all paid off. The crew team excelled this Fall. From our amiable kick off at the Cow Island Classic where we competed with local high school teams, to our success at the Textile River Regatta where several of our boats finished first, to our great triumph at the Head of the Charles where our Men’s 1V medaled with a 4th place finish— this season has been deeply rewarding.

While much of that reward was reaped through athletic success, as much if not more came in the form of joy, community, and family. We often call ourselves a “Bowdoin Rowing Family,” because that’s truly how we feel about each other. When you give everyday to a cause bigger than yourself— to a race, to a team, to a goal, to a dream— you become that bigger cause. For us, that bigger cause is each other— the trust, camaraderie, and love we share.

This season we made the most of that bond. We enjoyed several outings, from sailing with Ry and Tom, to apple picking at Rocky Ridge Orchard, to bowling at Yankee Lanes, to hiking at Mount Megunticook, to spontaneous dance parties, to movie nights, to so much more. We feel so lucky to be on a team where we can trust each other to put everything into competition, but still have fun on the way.

The fun certainly climaxed at our final event of the year— the annual Coxswains Cup Regatta— where we mix all the boats (blending varsity and novice athletes as well as the men’s and women’s sides), dress up in crazy outfits, and struggle through some rough sprints in search of the legendary prize, the holy grail or rowing: the Coxswain’s cup. This year “Buglas Lamm” took the prize for greatest theatrical performance, and “Easter” won the race itself to claim the cup.

One of the best parts about rowing is that it really never ends. With the conclusion of the Fall season, we have launched straight into winter training. This year we’re practicing six days a week, so watch out Dad Vail crews! Bowdoin Rowing is looking for gold.

SIDNEY, Maine — Bowdoin Rowing held its own against Colby and Bates, two highly competitive varsity programs, at CBBs on Saturday, October 26th. Though the opposition came out on top, Bowdoin is proud to have fought two fiercely competitive programs that have been successful at the national level.

After a short commute to Messalonskee Lake on a particularly charming fall day, the Polar Bears unloaded their trailer and rigged their boats. Bowdoin Rowing is deeply appreciative of both Colby and Bates for loaning us a few of their 8’s, without which we would not have been able to fully compete.

After enjoying some bagels for breakfast, the Polar Bears prepared to race. Head coach Doug Welling gave a rousing speech recognizing the difficulty of the competition, but inspiring all to row their best strokes against the odds. All boats then went through their warm up routines, then took to the water for a trial run of the course before the race.

The course, approximately 6000m in length, was a down-and-back, featuring a sharp turn around an island at the halfway point. After a practice run down the course, all boats took to the line one at a time in a staggered start.

Bowdoin’s A and B Varsity Men’s 8s— with times of 21:35.7 and 22:21.3, respectively— both outperformed Colby College’s B entry and Bates College’s C entry. Similarly, Bowdoin’s A Varsity Women’s 8— with a time of 25:29.5— bettered Colby’s B entry by nearly two minutes. Of the races, Doug said “it was quite something to look across the lake and see 20 boats lining up to race… rowing in Maine has grown significantly and we take a great deal of pride taking to the water with neighboring schools that have such strong presence at a national level.”

After the races, Colby hosted a lovely barbecue for everyone present. Doug noted “we are grateful to Colby for hosting and providing a wonderful BBQ to close out the day’s festivities.”  

Bowdoin Rowing anticipates a long and fruitful winter, and looks forward to challenging Colby and Bates again in the Spring!

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts –– Bowdoin Rowing’s first men’s varsity four earned 4th place medals at the 55th Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) this weekend. The first women’s varsity four finished 15th, securing an automatic bid for the Polar Bears at next year’s regatta.

The regatta is the largest competitive rowing event in the world and attracts over 11,000 athletes from DI through DIII colleges, hundreds of clubs, several national teams, and Olympic Training Centers. Along with our three guaranteed entries from last year’s results, the team scored 6 additional entries from the HOCR’s “luck-of-the-draw” lottery system, resulting in an unusual total of nine boats competing.

The men’s first varsity four finished in 4th place out of 40 in the Collegiate Men’s Four event––the top east coast crew and NESCAC program. Though the winning crew from UCLA had a strong 12 second victory over second place, the margin between 2nd and 6th was just over 3 seconds. Bowdoin’s 4th place was just 0.05 seconds faster than Oklahoma City and 0.2 seconds ahead of 6th place Notre Dame. The men’s second varsity four finished strongly in the second half of the field of 40 crews after an unfortunate tangling of blades under the Weeks Footbridge.

In the Women’s Collegiate Four, Bowdoin’s A and B boats raced well with the A boat finishing in 15th,  ahead of NESCAC rivals Trinity, Williams, and Middlebury. The performance also successfully secured an automatic bid for Bowdoin in next year’s HOCR.

The team had two entries in the Men’s Club Four and one in the Women’s Club Four. Both were racing against 57 other crews and although they all rowed well, our crews finished in the second half of the pack.

Bowdoin also entered a boat in the Women’s Championship Double event. Polar Bears Allie Gross and Ilana Olin finished 13 in this field of 17, racing against the highest echelon of 2x’s in the country, including some international crews of Olympic caliber. Gross and Olin finished second among collegiate crews in the event.

The Men’s Alumni Four put in a stellar performance racing as Polar Rowing Club. Will Brockett, Seth Chatterton, Greg Picarillo, Philip Maier, and Elizabeth Kolle raced to a competitive 37th in the Men’s Club Four field of 58 crews.

Coaches Doug Welling and Ry Hills were extremely pleased with the results. “It was incredible getting so many athletes experience on this course,” said Welling. “The team has truly pushed each other to a new level and it was very rewarding to watch the strong finishes in the collegiate events on Sunday.”

“We are very proud of what these athletes have accomplished here at the Charles,” added Hills. “This is a huge stage in the world of rowing. The fact that we can compete against, and often beat, very high level teams speaks volumes for our small program.”  

The coaches also thanked alumni and parents for joining the team at the annual Charles alumni dinner, bringing together nearly 100 members of the Bowdoin Rowing family. “We are always tremendously grateful for the support of our alums and families,” Welling said. “Their ongoing passion for this team is integral to our success. And it is, of course, really fun to see so many of them at this annual event.”

Bowdoin Rowing will compete against Colby College and Bates College at the annual CBBs regatta next weekend, Saturday, October 26th, in their final race of the fall season.

Let’s Go Black!

Article by Assistant Coach Ry Hills