5/16/2010

On that note, I want to take the time to thank our captains Eric Klammer and Anna Royce. Both have done a terrific job of leading us this year. Following a tradition that we started three years ago, I have invited the captains to say a few words to us all.

Captains Speak Here (Eric Klammer and Anna Royce)

Thank you for some great speeches from our captains. I'd like to take the time to recognize our captains with these awards.

We have seen much growth and progress in our program this year. Maggie Miller and Logan Mercer have put together a fun and demanding gROWth program. We have realized phase two and phase three of our boathouse expansion. We've set world records, and won events that we have never won before. Our program numbers stand at around 55 athletes, which is the highest numbers of junior athletes that we have ever seen rowing out of the boathouse at any one time. Our spring break trip is growing in enrollment as our athletes realize what it takes to row at the national level. We took trips to Tennessee and Boston to attend the Head of the Hooch and the Head of the Charles. Our Row-A-Thon fundraising has increased to $15,500 thanks to the support of boosters and the hard work of our athletes.

Yesterday at the boat cleaning I took the time to enjoy all that we had accomplished over these last eight years. I stood in our bay and enjoyed our wonderful fleet of equipment, our sliding racks and our ergometer records board. While regional championships and national achievements will come and go, what we have accomplished has made and is making a difference in the community and in the lives of our athletes. I watched our athletes take care of their equipment and know that they have a better understanding of commitment, integrity and friendship to one another. This is my reward.

Novice Girls Memories (by Coach Sara Younger)

This year the Novice Girls taught me something.... that rowing CAN be fun. This is, as the other coaches know, simply not why I row. So one day when Olivia requested a long steady state rather than an interval piece because it's fun it dawned on me that I somehow infused my love of rowing into something fun for them. At first I was confused and even said "what a steady state is fun?" Then you must not be working hard enough...

So the lesson learned here was, which my mother asks quite often, is aren't you rowing because it makes you happy? And although the novice girls didn't bring home a surplus of medals this year it means a great deal to know that over all they learned a wonderful sport and made some great friends while doing so. And don't worry, I tell my mom I row because it makes me happy but I tell her the medals help too!

Thanks to all the Novice Girls. I learned a great deal from each one of you and wish you all the best with your future endeavors....

Varsity Girls Memories (by Coach James Simmons)

Coach Simmons remembers giving the girls a 2000 meter erg test and telling one of his athletes to pull her split down and during the drive see looked back at me and said "yes sir".

Coach Simmons remembers the Heart of Texas Austin race because it is short and everything happens so fast the girls quad that never rowed that line up, at the 500-meter mark they were over taking all the other boats. I was running along yelling and then the boat stopped around 750- meter mark. His heart went from pounding to stopping in a matter of seconds, It did showed him that they could work together (at trying to kill him) in most any boat. Win / loss they did there best. It was exciting to watch. That is why they call it racing, one second you are on top and the next on the bottom, You can never give up.

Varsity Boys

The varsity boys accomplished everything that I asked of them. I enjoyed their support and feeling of trust and friendship among the boys. My favorite memory was our boat meetings; always fun and you never know what is going to be said from these guys. I have really enjoyed coaching these fine young men. We've had a solid season and I look forward to seeing what they are going to put together next season.

I want to thank all of the Coach Younger, Coach Simmons and Coach Brown for their contributions this year. It is a pleasure to work with such a committed bunch of peer coaches who care deeply about the program and our athletes. All of our coaches bring a skills set to the table and I think that we make a great team.

In addition, my thanks and gratitude go to Coach Mercer and Coach Miller for their help running the gROWth program. I find it wonderful that our vision includes providing a chance for middle school student athletes to learn how to row.

Like last year, we graduate many seniors again. I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of following for their time, commitment, effort and sacrifice over their time as members of the juniors program.

Please step forward to receive your gift as I read your name.

Lauren Griffith (John Brown University)
Courtaney Miller (SMU*)
Anna Kenneally (Unknown)
Hannah Norton (UCO)

Seth Bourdeau (University of Washington)
John Carmichael (OSU)
Ryan Carroll (OCU)
Eric Klammer (Missouri S&T - Science and Technology)
Andrew Smith (OSU)
Brock Turner (OCU*)

*denotes plans to row at this school

As far as the rest of the team is concerned; we have awards for your participation in the program this year. Please step forward when I call your name.

The following athletes have attained 100% attendance this spring season.
Caden Broussard, Ben Gehres, Lauren Griffith, Eric Klammer, Nathan Klammer, Anne Philpot, Anna Royce, Molly Schale, Brock Turner

Thanks For Your Support!

I want to take the time to thank all of the boosters that helped make this year a productive and enjoyable experience for the coaching staff. We really can't run this program without the support of parents and for that I am truly thankful.

I want to thank Liz Hegenbart and Susan Jones for keeping us all organized in the paperwork department. Collecting waivers is a thankless task, and therefore I am here to say a big THANK YOU for helping with all of this work. It truly makes it easier for me to not have to worry about all of this.

Valerie Norton has done a splendid job of working hard to keep our kids looking smart on race day even after her athlete had to withdraw from the program because of injury. Thanks go to her for all of her preparation, effort and time on this important role in our boosters.

Kim Schale and others have contributed to helping us feed the troops both at home and on the road. This is a valuable service to our kids and I appreciate the help in this regard.

Amy fuller has headed up our learn to row program, keeping parents in the loop and welcoming newcomers to the program. This is an important role because I think that it has become so important to educate everyone on the mission of our program and the responsibilities that each family and athlete has to our competitive team. Thanks go to Amy for all of her help this year.

I appreciate the support of Lane Pennington, who has worked hard to raise the level of awareness of our program on the Cascia Hall campus. Lane has also made various donations to the team that has aided our athletes to perform at higher levels. Thank you, Lane.

Allison Griffith has also contributed to the smooth running of our program. She leaves no stone left unturned when it comes to hotel and travel arrangements for the team. Allison is also a wonderful crew mom, serving us food on the spring break trip and looking after each and every one of us. My appreciation for her help and support knows no bounds and our program will miss her next year. Although, I am hoping that she might come on our spring break trip next year…..

I also want to thank Vaughn Esper for his moral support and for video taping our races. I have found that the video he takes of our athletes very helpful me analyze where we can improve. I also want to thank Vaughn for his donation of the mobile camera. I think the video of the girls eight practicing was very powerful stuff and really showed everyone, how hard these athletes work. I think it has immense potential for marketing our program to the community and appreciate Vaughn's contribution very much. Thank you Vaughn!

I want to take the opportunity to thank Julie Harris for her contributions this year. From hosting the Christmas party to the smooth running of our most successful Row-A-Thon. Julie has made our rowing club a better place to be.

Julia Klammer has done a wonderful job as secretary this year. I always value her perspective and she has contributed in numerous ways. Julia has aided us in from writing letters to making helpful donations in times of need and lending me bicycles so that I can watch the kids row to victory down the race course. My thanks go to Julia for a job well done.

Jennifer McSweeny has served as our president last year and has supported us a great deal this year in her role as treasurer. Jennifer's help cannot be limited to solely her work as treasurer. Jennifer helps us with regatta logistics. I remember the first email that I received from Jennifer Mcsweeny when see immediately recognized the benefit to the community that we were providing. Thank you Jennifer for your time and commitment to our program.

I want to take a moment to recognize the contribution of our president, Stephanie Royce. Stephanie has been a long time supporter of the club. A head coach cannot ask for a more supportive, caring and experienced president. We've been through a great deal over the last year or many years for that matter. I always feel like I have her support whatever the situation. I think that everyone in this room has a great deal of respect for Stephanie and the contribution that she has made to our program. There is not enough time to list all of the many tasks that Stephanie manages to accomplish and all of the benefits that we have reaped from her tireless efforts. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with Stephanie and we all owe her our gratitude for all of her contribution. Stephanie, Thank you.

I would also like to acknowledge our athlete leadership council this year. The leadership council has met with the coaching staff this year on many different occasions. The council should ideally be composed of athletes who represent the many different types of athletes that we have on the team – both experienced and new. I always appreciate the honest dialog that occurs at our leadership council meetings. The athletes that serve on the leadership council care very deeply about the success of our program and how the program might run better. This year’s council was composed of captains Anna Royce and Eric Klammer, Abby Jones, Lauren Griffith, Andrea Joyce, Brock Turner and Andrew Smith.

Lastly and certainly not least, I wish to thank my wife Cathy and baby girl for their understanding and support this season. As my family grows, it has brought new perspective on my life. They tolerate me on the bad days and on the good days and without their support I would not have been able to perform my duties at the head coach. Therefore, I owe them a debt of gratitude for allowing my to pursue my passion for rowing.

Now, I turn to our athletes once more as we award those who have made significant accomplishments both in a humorous way and in a more serious manner.

The U-boat commander award can be given to an athlete that flips the most during the course of the season, or it can be given to an athlete that has one or two quality flips. One year we awarded it to a pair of athletes who were winning their doubles race and then proceeded to flip their shell five strokes before the finish line. This year recipient falls more into the quality category than the quantity category. This year's award goes to the greatest number of athletes that we have ever given this prize to. Awarded to the athlete who flips the most during the course of the season. Athletes may only win this award if they capsize unintentionally during the course of practice. (Awarded by coaching staff)

"U-Boat Commander" Award (Thomas Adams, Warren Wright, John Carstens, Baruch Price, George Rabe)

Tuff as Nails. Awarded to the athlete who has proved himself or herself to be mentally tough and resilient above all else. (Awarded by coaching staff)

"Coach I'm going to break the 24-hour world record for most distance recorded." Say no more….Brock Turner.

Both of these young gentlemen have worked hard to improve their levels of rowing. They are always on hand to offer a hand when help is needed. They have made huge improvements in their rowing from a physiological, psychological and technical perspective. Both are deserving of the most improved male rowers for this year's team.

Most Improved Male Rower - Awarded to the male athlete, who by his contribution, commitment and performance has improved his rowing over the course of the season. (Awarded by coaching staff)

John Carstens -Novice
Ryan Carroll -Varsity

Most Improved Female Rower - Awarded to the female athlete, who by her contribution, commitment and performance has improved her rowing over the course of the season. (Awarded by coaching staff)

Anne Philpot - Novice
Caden Broussard - Varsity

Most Hardworking Award - Awarded to the athlete either male or female who has proved in the estimation of the coaching staff to have sustained a high degree of work ethic both on and off the water. (Awarded by coaching staff)

This year’s most hardworking award goes to an athlete that has gained the respect of the athletes. I had no trouble deciding on this athlete given his generous nature and support of his fellow athletes.

Logan Gilstrap

“Golden Coxswain” Award - Awarded to the coxswain, who has demonstrated leadership, organization and commitment to the program. (Voted and Awarded by athletes)

A good coxswain always knows how to the best out of his or her crew. This year's recipient coxed our varsity four at the Head of the Charles, steering a great course and showing fantastic leadership. His good humor and team spirit make him an invaluable asset to our team and he will be missed after he graduates our program this year. It gives me great pleasure to announce that this year's golden coxswain award goes to Andrew Smith.

Queen Oar Award

Awarded to the rower or coxswain who has demonstrated his/her commitment and leadership over the course of the season and therefore has contributed greatly to the success of the program. Athletes must have competed in both fall and spring seasons to be eligible for this award at the end of the year.

In our second “athlete awarded” prize this evening the athletes have once again voted for their Queen Oar Award. This year the voting on this was too close to call. It usual that one particular athlete stands out above tough competition given how lucky we are to have some many gifted student athletes among us. However, this year it was too close to call and so I declared it a tie. Both of these athletes have contributed to the overall success of the team with a combination of commitment, work ethic and good spirit that is second to none. Both of these athletes kept pushing themselves to the very end. These two athletics have made quantum leaps in their rowing over the last couple of years. These leaps include boathouse ergometer records and a fierce competitive drive that includes fantastic levels of encouragement that has impressed their peers. This year the awards go to Courtaney Miller and Lauren Griffith.

King Oar Award

Like in the Queen oar category, this was a hotly contested award. Again, we usually honor one athlete with this award and again we deviate from that this year because the voting was too close to call. Both of these young men have shown immense contributions as leaders. Both of these young men are eagle scouts award winners and both of these young men model integrity and character and set excellent examples for their peers. It has been a pleasure to serve as a coach to these young men whose achievements in our program are too varied and numerous to list this evening. These two fine young men never back down from their responsibilities as leaders and therefore this year's King Oar Award goes to Eric Klammer and Brock Turner.

Congratulations to all of these student-athletes.

Captains and Leadership Council

The athletes voted a couple of weeks ago to elect captains and the leadership council. I am pleased to announce that Anna Royce and Molly Schale will co-captain for the girls team and Nathan Klammer will serve as the boy's captain for the 2010-11 year. Supplementing their leadership will a leadership council comprised of Caden Broussard, Mason Fuller and Logan Gilstrap. Congratulations to these athletes and I look forward to working with them as we take the next step.

In conclusion, it has been an eventful year and one of immense growth for the club. As a stated in my opening remarks, we have grown to a team with fifty athletes. We have expanded our boathouse by completing three phases of our expansion plan. My coaching philosophy is based on the belief that if you create the right environment, that's the best you can do for your athletes. It is up to them to perform within that environment. My challenge to our athletes is to continue to raise the bar and continue the legacy of those that have walked the path before them. We are well poised to succeed in the future and my hope is that our athletes will rise to this challenge.

I will be resting this summer but working with the booster's leadership to plan for our future and to enable youth rowing in Tulsa to expand to new horizons in our increasingly competitive region. I will be taking a trip to Craftsbury sculling center in Vermont with the goal to develop my understanding of the science and art of coaching to a higher level. It's important in life to continue to seek new levels of competence and in my role as a teacher, it is this continual thirst for higher knowledge and understanding that I hope I have infused in my students and athletes.

My thanks go to everyone for a wonderful season. It has been a pleasure to serve you all.

Thank You.

Coach Neil Bergenroth.