Spring 2020
As the novel Corona Virus spread throughout the US and the world, the Team had to forego all normal activities the Spring season brings (bus rides to the boathouse, after-school practices, pasta dinners, REGATTAS, and the food tent). The losses were sorely felt. But our coaches, athletes, and community found new and innovative ways to support and challenge one another.
Virtual Competitions
The team held a Color Wars competition and teams earned points for exercise and creative expression. The Mob won 1st Place followed by iCrew Software Engineers, PR Obliterators, and the Bladensburg Strokes.
Some standout performances featured Minecraft and Jazzercise.
Minecraft: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P2IzdJh_4LqWE7AGtxwxOmuZcazv47fL/view
Jazzercise: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VDMlolnpbpn3LxpXUr8xdHyxNRgqmcp0/view?usp=sharing
Tata Toure, Jane Fleischmann, Catherine Fang and Gianna Schulp competed in the Midatlantic Virtual Championships and qualified for the National Championships as a lightweight 4+ where they earned 7th place. Awesome job girls!
Community Spirit and Support
The team rallied to support the community by collecting donations to support the Maryland Food Bank, Bake Sales to support the Equal Justice Initiative and Bakers Against Racism, BLM, and multiple food drives to support the Langley Park Community.
End of Year Awards
The team was not able to gather as we normally do to celebrate the end of the year, wish our graduating Seniors the best as they move on to their next chapters, and mark the other important milestones of the Team’s journey. But we gathered on Zoom to celebrate, acknowledge, and reflect.
Novice Girls – Most Improved – Cat Schaffer
Novice Girls – Most Varsity Ready – Haley Minnick
Novice Boys – Most Improved – Robert Hsu
Novice Boys – Most Varsity Ready – Ryan Frank
Varsity Girls – Most Improved – Laura Howe
Varsity Girls – Woman of the Oar – Anna Voit
Varsity Boys – Most Improved – Ethan Aronovich
Varsity Boys – King of Pain – Jeremiah Fan
Varsity Boys – Man of the Oar – Hunter Hicks
4 Year OARS
We also recognized the graduating Seniors who have been rowing since their freshman year.
Zach Bowers
Eilis Cawley
Sophie DiFrank
Sydney Gibbons
Graham Harper
Alanna Hoffman
Evan McClintock
Anna Voit
Departing Board Members
We also recognized our departing Senior parents as well as some who have served as board members or other key roles. They have played such a key role in WJ Crew over the years.
Eric Voit (with the team since maybe 2009?)
Christie Gibbons (with the team since Fall 2012? – food tent extraordinaire!)
Catherine Gallagher (our board chair during a difficult year!)
John Bowers (with the team since Fall 2014? – head of our motor boat maintenance pool)
Jane Davenport (key member of the fundraiser/plant sale team)
Cheryl DiFrank (photobook extraordinaire)
Sending Off Coach Emma Merrick
Lastly we had the bittersweet duty of sending off Coach Emma Merrick who is moving this summer. Emma rowed at WJ for 4 years and has been coaching for the past 5 years. She will be missed by all the coaches, rowers and parents and we wish her the best in the next step in her life!
