FIT Reacts To Henley

Over the course of two hours yesterday, dadvail.org interviewed each member of Florida Tech’s varsity eight.  Here’s just a spattering of their initial reactions to competing at the 2011 Royal Henley Regatta.  Feature stories and previews are upcoming ...

“Everything has been amazing.  This has been the best rowing trip I’ve ever had.  Just the environment and being in another country, it’s amazing.  The boat and the oars are awesome — we’re considering buying them when we get back to the states to row with them permanently.”

- Troy Toggweiler, 2 seat, Sophomore

“It’s been really fun.  The weather has been nice and we haven’t had any problems.  (The Thames) is a great course.  It’s really nice that we got here early because we’ve gotten to watch the (grandstands, tents, etc.) keep going up along the river.

- Alec Bertossa, Bow seat, Freshman

“I’m just so happy to be here at this regatta.  I knew a guy who once won the world championship in the eight for the Soviet Union and he said that Henley is definitely the best regatta in the world.  Now I can see it for myself.”

- Mindaugas Beliauskas, 7 seat, Sophomore

“It’s finally clicked that after three years of being here (as a spectator) that I’ll finally get to race in it.  The two things that made me realize it’s happening was passing the grandstands from the water and seeing the white booms go by as we rowed up the course.  It was just surreal.”

- David Crooke, 6 seat, Junior

“It’s definitely different.  There’s a lot going on, but we’ve decided that we’re not here to sightsee, even though it’s Henley.  We’re here to race.  That’s the attitude of the whole boat and we’re pretty excited about it.”

- Plamen Ivanov, 4 seat, Sophomore

“It’s a little overwhelming and it’s hard not to get distracted.  There’s a lot going on and there are top-level crews from around the world.  This is the race you hear about all the time.  So to actually be here and be on this course ... it’s pretty big.”

- Spencer Freeman, 5 seat, Sophomore

“This is the race I’ve always wanted to race in.  It might not mean the most — winning the world championship might be more important — but it’s the most prestigious and, for me, it’s bigger right now.  Everything here is great.” 

- Jonas Karalius, Stroke seat, Sophomore

“On our first few rows (on the Thames), there was just so much going on around us.  With all these high-caliber crews around you’re just saying, ‘Oh, there’s the Great Britain national team!  There’s the U.S. national team!’  It’s crazy whose out there rowing with you.  I’ve never seen anything like this.  It’s such a huge event.”

- Frank Campione, 3 seat, Sophomore

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