No real stake in any of the teams listed, but all are absolutely amazing stories/accomplishments! Congrats to the Saratoga JW2-!! 2500+ votes is significant. Also congrats to Row2k!! Regardless of the method the above teams used to receive their votes, Row2k has provided the outlet and access to invite others into our rowing community. Keep up the good work!
"settheboat" sounds like someone has a little case of jealousy. The fact that you cannot enjoy someone else's success speaks volumes about you and the crew you represent, and if you really think high school kids are that socially different from college kids, think again my friend, you have quite a bit to learn.
I can assure you that I am professional and gracious regardless of the outcome when the results of the competition are valid and meaningful. And as for the social difference, I think you are the one who needs to think again because the difference between girls in high school (from a privileged community I might add) and those who have spent some time in college (or the real world for that matter) is immense. My point is, if those two girls hadn't turned this into a popularity contest, we might have actually gotten a fair assessment as to who really was crew of the year. And for the record, I'm counting this as a victory for Berkeley's 8+.
Hyperbole! I'll give you hyperbole. I was "schoched" yes shocked that Team Attager, 6 time consecutive winner of the 50+ HOCR, didn't even get a chance to take on the Saratoga Junior Womens 2-, the Cal Freshman, or even Bond and Murray. Though nominated by thunderous acclaim heard up an down the Charles River, Attager (regatta spelled backwards for the uninitiated) was dropped by Row2K into the "also nominated category" in what could only be viewed as a wanton act of injustice. Imagine what the results would have been, had the teaming masses on Facebook and Twitter been provided the privilege, indeed the right, of voting for eight, great, buff old guys. We could have been right up there with the US Women's eight. Now that would have been a delight!
While I agree wholeheartedly that this poll is a) completely subjective and b) a truly ridiculous comparison of nearly incomparable national team rowers, top collegiate programs, and junior rowers, I am fully shocked with the final results of this poll. Seriously? A junior women's pair as crew of the year? To me, this is simply the story of two high schoolers who simply spammed the social networks, etc with pleas to all of their "friends" to vote for them, simply so that they could stroke their own egos. This is not an assessment of "crew of the year" it's two high schoolers trying to win a popularity contest. About as useful to the rowing community as the "miss North Dakota" pageant is to the global economy.
all of these crews achieved amazing things and had great seasons, but in all seriousness, Cal's MF8 was unbelievable this year. going undefeated is deserving of great respect in and of itself. but they went above and beyond. I watched at Henley as they continued to set and break record after record, some days beating the records they had set the day before, on the Henley Royal Regatta course. beating Harvard by open water in the semifinals, and crushing it in the finals winning by about 4 boat lengths. now that is truly amazing. if anyone deserves to win, it's those boys.
The Pittsford Girls 4 rowed an incredible final at nationals. These are some very special girls who are not only great rowers but great leaders. They have always been great role models to the their younger teamates.
Come on people. This is a 100% subjective poll based on whatever you want to think when you read their nomination descriptions. Lets not get overly critical here. It's all for fun.
While all the teams mentioned are worthy of being on this list, they fall across too broad of a spectrum to actually decide which team deserves the title and for what reason. Very hard to compare HS teams to National teams. Reminds me of a reality show where the winner will be based on popularity. Better to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.
Let's be honest, the junior and collegiate programs in this list shouldn't even be in the conversation with the international senior A and senior B elite. As their spectrum of work and accomplishments are different. This should be two separate polls. But that may be asking a little much, wouldn't it? Eric Murray, Hamish Bond (NZL 2-) all the way.
The Canadian lightwieght double of Lindsay Jenerrich and Tracy Cameron proved to be a powerful combination last year at Lake Karapiro. In this year's world Championship at Bled, Cameron pulled out because of injury, but still managed 6th in the ltwt, 1X, while Jenerrich stayed in the double with Patrica Obee to take the silver. The strength of Canada's sculling program at the elite level is very impressive.
NZL M2- went undefeated for THREE years at the international level. Both the longevity and the difficulty of being dominant in that category is certainly commendable. Respect to all the other crews too.
DAVID vs GOLIATH... unrecognized and diminutive PITTSFORD CREW has one of the smallest programs in the country and "walks away" in open water victories for every race of their season... including every race during YOUTH NATIONALS - against the likes of Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco based national programs. C'mon man - this is a true CREW OF THE YEAR story!!!
Pittsford had a terrific year...However, to consider a team with a 5100 sq ft indoor training facility, including their own tanks, to be a "David" is silly. Additionally, being a club team they've got the opportunity to take kids from multiple schools and put them together into a boat. Again, this isn't to diminish their accomplishments, they DESTROYED the field in Oak Ridge, just don't overstate what they are.
comon guys... Saratoga JW2- wins youth, U23, champ pairs AND second at elite nationals... as SENIORS in highschool. how is that worse than yale winning a close race or cal having a great season?
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