Michael,

Thank you so much for your note. I have CCed our kids and boosters so they
can see your note. We are all very proud of our Lightweights. This was only
the 2nd year that the event came back together for us. Last year they won
the Northern Virginia Championships as well.

Just a little bit of background if you didn't know. When I rowed as a
lightweight our eight won the Northern Virginia Championships in 1986 and
was 3rd at Stotes the same year. In 1991 our Lightweight eight was almost
undefeated only loosing at Nationals. It is a great tradition I hope to keep
going.

Derek

PS...you may remember Jim Owen '62 who is now our Boy's Novice
Coach<jeowen@...>


From : Michael A Brown <michael@...>
Sent : Thursday, September 30, 2004 1:44 AM
To : crewcoach@...
Subject : Bravo lightweights from a '63 alum


Hi Derek! It is with great delight that I read about your lightweight 8's
Stotesbury win in the Rowing Reporter that arrived today. Congratulations!
Thought you and the guys might enjoy the story of W-L's first lightweight
success.

Going into the 1963 season, W-L's lightweight crews had never won a race ...
ever. So it was with a mix of enthusiasm and dread that I accepted Charlie's
assignment as cox of the '63 edition. Early season practices were cold
(naturally) and not very rewarding. But gradually, we came together and got
the original Cinderella swinging.

Two days before the first regatta v. Alexandria schools Hammond and GW, we
were rowing near the Three Sisters Islands as the varsity, JV, and third
eights were preparing for some start-and-20s. Charlie asked us to line up
also. We were pretty good off the start, so we relished the challenge.

Start and twenty and we beat the JVs and thirds. Everyone saw but few
believed. Said Charlie, "Not bad. Let's see you on Saturday!"

Yes, we won on Saturday for W-L's first ever lightweight victory. Even
though in those days the Potomac was "too thick to navigate, too thin to
cultivate," I didn't mind the coxswain toss.

In week two, we had the lead at the quarter mile but then my five man caught
a crab. Not any old crab ... this was an imperial king crab. We stopped
dead, restarted, but never caught up.

By weeks 3 and 4 we had recovered and won the Northern Virginia
championship. The greatest thrill, however, was when Charlie rewarded us
with an invitation to row at Stotesbury! There was no lightweight race in
'63, so we rowed against heavy third eights. In the field of six, we
finished fourth. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

So please extend my best wishes to all the lightweight rowers and coxswains.
May the gold standard prevail for all of you!


Kind regards,

Michael A. Brown

Hi Derek! It is with great delight that I read about your lightweight 8's Stotesbury win in the Rowing Reporter that arrived today. Congratulations! Thought you and the guys might enjoy the story of W-L's first lightweight success. 

Going into the 1963 season, W-L's lightweight crews had never won a race ... ever. So it was with a mix of enthusiasm and dread that I accepted Charlie's assignment as cox of the '63 edition. Early season practices were cold (naturally) and not very rewarding. But gradually, we came together and got the original Cinderella swinging.

Two days before the first regatta v. Alexandria schools Hammond and GW, we were rowing near the Three Sisters Islands as the varsity, JV, and third eights were preparing for some start-and-20s. Charlie asked us to line up also. We were pretty good off the start, so we relished the challenge.

Start and twenty and we beat the JVs and thirds. Everyone saw but few believed. Said Charlie, "Not bad. Let's see you on Saturday!"

Yes, we won on Saturday for W-L's first ever lightweight victory. Even though in those days the Potomac was "too thick to navigate, too thin to cultivate," I didn't mind the coxswain toss.

In week two, we had the lead at the quarter mile but then my five man caught a crab. Not any old crab ... this was an imperial king crab. We stopped dead, restarted, but never caught up.

By weeks 3 and 4 we had recovered and won the Northern Virginia championship. The greatest thrill, however, was when Charlie rewarded us with an invitation to row at Stotesbury! There was no lightweight race in '63, so we rowed against heavy third eights. In the field of six, we finished fourth. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

So please extend my best wishes to all the lightweight rowers and coxswains. May the gold standard prevail for all of you!


Kind regards,

Michael A. Brown