University of North Carolina Athletics
Rowing Along: Meredith Krull
October 23, 2001 | Women's Rowing
Oct. 23, 2001
Meredith Krull is a senior from Raleigh and a member of the UNC rowing team. Throughout the year, she will provide TarHeelBlue.com readers with an inside look at her team and the experience of being a varsity athlete at North Carolina.
My body is telling me that I should be exhausted from our trip to Boston this week, but I could not be more energized to train for our spring season! This weekend's race at the Head of the Charles was probably the most incredible experience I have had in my four years as a rower at UNC.
We arrived in Boston late Thursday night and went to bed to rest for the practices ahead. We rowed over the three mile course two times (12 miles total) in the morning, and one more time in the afternoon. Our goal was to physically and mentally prepare for the race, and for our coxswain, Kelley Gates, to get reaquainted with the course.
On Saturday, we took the opportunity for one last row over the course before the 6,000 competitors began to race. It was our last chance to prepare for our event on Sunday. After our row we had the afternoon off to walk around Boston, meet up with friends and watch the club events that took place on Saturday. I sat on the Weeks bridge, and as I saw the boats racing down the course I became even more excited about our race.
On Sunday it was time to put all the pieces together. Every seat race back in Chapel Hill, every row over the course in Boston, and the excitement of watching the races seemed to come together perfectly. From the time we picked up the boat until we put it back down after the race we maintained a steady and calm focus that worked to our advantage.
We knew before the race that we would be challenged at this regatta. With a handful of national teams competing in our event (the Danes starting just behind us) and with the fastest collegiate crews among us, we knew that success would not come easy.
Each of us seemed to be in "the zone" for our race. With two miles down we had gained on the Boston University crew ahead of us, and the Danish National Team remained behind us. Each stroke was powerful, yet controlled. Kelley made all the right calls, telling us when to give more pressure and when to regain our poise during the race. At the same time, she steered a hugely aggressive race, I could feel the buoy markers right underneath my rigger.
After a 90-degree turn in the last part of the race, the Danes surged ahead of us and began an effective sprint. At the same time, we picked up the pressure and intensity and made our move on Boston University. We had been pushing them dowm the entire course, and it was time to leave them behind. We were oblivious to the fatigue that was setting in because Kelley announced our progress after each stroke. Within 10 strokes we had gained a advantage of one boatlength, and we ultimately finished ahead.
The best part for me though, was when we rowed over to where coach Joel Furtek was waiting for us on the shore. I know we should never look out of the boat, but I couldn't resist peeking to see if he was pleased with our race. He just stood there grinning and looking very proud of us. It was the best feeling in the world.
After the race, Joel told us how important it was to bring back this excitement to the rest of the program at home. As we head into the last few weeks on the water and prepare for winter training, it is our job to find that same energy and intensity that we felt on the Charles.
This week was probably the highlight of my career as a Carolina rower. We are so lucky to have had the opportunity to compete at this regatta because it not only gives us an experience that we will always remember, but it will give us newfound motivation for the winter training ahead.
