“We came back from the summer fitter than ever,” head coach Joel Furtek said. “Two-thirds of the team rowed competitively this summer and that has translated into a higher level of work sooner than ever before. Our opening Labor Day Camp was a terrific chance to incorporate our new freshmen and to get all of our team back at speed.”
The fall season is a time for growth and development, but the Griffs coaches still expect to see steady improve ment and a expeident rate of return. So while the squad may very well be in the infancy of the season, rapid advancement is expected and delivered upon by the Blue and Gold student athletes.
“The team dynamic has been very rewarding,” Furtek said. “Every boat has left the dock intent on being the best boat in that practice, and the standard this Fall was that if you don’t get better every day, you won’t be in the best boat. By the end of the first two weeks, it’s accelerated; if your boat doesn’t get better inside the practice, it gets passed. Every one of our 25 women has stepped up to the new standard.”
The team returns a large contingent of its 2015-16 roster, which will bode well for the chemistry needed to improve on a daily basis. Aside from the veteran stalwarts, coach Furtek is excited to see how the incoming class will contribute.
“We have a great mix of talent in every class, and I know our Class Day competitions will be brutal,” Furtek said. “It’s our norm that each incoming class is faster than the last, but no group this year has given an inch. Each class comes out faster and ready for the challenge. Lineups are in flux but I expect a freshman presence in all three boats.”
The Blue and Gold welcome a freshman class that includes five rowers and one coxswain. Jessic Fabian, Tara Federow, Alexandra Heinz, Alexandria Holt and Emma Vicaretti join the Griffs as rowers, while Misa Gamble will help guide her teammates as a coxswain.
“Our incoming freshman have been an instant presence and have adapted to our system quickly,” Furtek said. “It can be a brutal transition from high school to college, but they came in eager for the challenge and it shows. “
While the Griffs have the student athletes in place to be a force to be reckoned with in the conference, Canisius is also fortunate to have a wealth of knowledge in the coaching ranks to help provide the key insights in order to take performances to the next level. Furtek enters his sixth year with the program, while Erin Neppel heads into her third year on staff. Neppel was recently honored with the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Assocaition Region Two Staff of the Year award. Rounding out the staff is the familiar face of former standout Meghan Martin. Martin competed for Furtek’s program beginning in the 2012-13 season, and rowed for two seasons with the Blue and Gold.
“In my 21st year of coaching, I’m having more fun than ever,” Furtek said. “A lot of that credit goes to our amazing staff of Meghan Martin and last year’s regional assistant coach of the year, Erin Neppel. Together, we work harder than any staff I’ve been a part of, but we laugh more than I thought possible. It’s fun to work hard in a positive environment and get things done — we’re enjoying the same opportunity as our student-athletes.”
The fall season features five regattas that will challenge Canisius to get better ever race. The Griffs start with Buffalo on Sept. 24, continues on to race at the William Smith Challenge on the Canal in Geneva, N.Y. on Oct. 1.
The Griffs then race in the Mercyhurst Invitational on Oct. 8, before competing in its only home regatta of the fall-schedule, on Oct. 16, racing at the Head of the Niagara/Wright Regatta.
As has become a tradition with the Blue and Gold, the Head of the Charles will highlights the fall season. The Griffs will head to Boston on Saturday Oct. 22 to take part in one of the most prestigious races in all of rowing.
“I asked our team what was the most important race on the calendar, and they replied, “the one you’re in.,” Furtek said. “They fully understand that every race, like every practice, is a step on the journey. So right now, our opener against our friends and rivals at UB is number one on their minds. We surprised the Bulls last year with a great result, but we know that they are well coached and we won’t have the chance to surprise them again. We expect an awesome race on Tonawanda Creek.
“Beyond that, we have a schedule full of tough races and our top student-athletes will be doubling and tripling each race,” Furtek said. “It’s a high volume of hard work and they’re earning the right to tackle it. Of course the marquee race is the Head of the Charles; not many people get to compete on an international stage in front of 250,000 spectators lining the shore for 3 miles. After that race, we’ll be ready to step back from the limelight and put the finishing touches on our fall development.”
While the highlight of the fall season will be the crown jewl of the rowing schedule, the Head of the Charles, Canisius knows that the fall is a season for development and working the process. However with that in mind, the coaching staff is excited about where this team is starting season.
“We are by far faster than we have ever been at this time, and have more speed left to tap than ever, too,” Furtke said. “It’s exciting as a coach when the team is of one mind: forward. The absence of drama is wonderful, and it’s not a cliche to say that everyone is on message.”
from GoGriffs.com via IFTTT
