AFTER REACHING the finals in one of their events in the Malaysian Varsity Boat Race 2013, the Ateneo men’s rowing team is now back on their track to victory.
Eight delegates from the Ateneo Rowing team set the momentum of success. They were sent to compete in the Southeast Asian Rowing Federation (SEARF) Championship 2014 held in Singapore last June 16 to 22.
These veteran delegates fared well in the international meet, landing in podium finishes in all of their events.
Setting the benchmark
Carlos Piano raced to second place in the Men’s Single Scull. Rowers Jeho Fajardo and David Teotico, joined the Men’s Double Scull garnering bronze. Two pairs—composed of Ivan Lee and Mark Martinez, and Mark Schallenberg and Rafael Garcia—were entered in the Men’s Pairs, bagging bronze and silver respectively. Lastly, veterans Schallenberg, Lee, Martinez and Paulo Pecson placed second in the Men’s Coxless Four event.
The team was entered originally in the University division of the aforementioned meet. But due to the division age bracket, the delegates were transferred to the Interclub division, enabling them to go up against different clubs from Singapore and Malaysia.
The team tested their skills against their international competitors, despite their lack of competitions locally. Unexpectedly, they found themselves to be at par with them, boosting their confidence for the next competitions.
“We always question the system: Does it work, does it match the other teams around the world or around Asia?” says team captain Rafael Garcia. “In Singapore we saw what we did and we can go up against them on a good level.”
Not only did the SEARF Championships serve as a new experience for them, but it was also a preparatory meet for the Varsity Boat Race. The Varsity Boat Race has been the annual main competition of the Ateneo Rowing team. This year’s tournament will be held in Malaysia this October 2014.
Revamped training
The team is preparing for the upcoming meet through the training of their new coach, Nick Jasmin. They are now undergoing a rigorous program comprised of both land and boat training. Their previous training sessions, facilitated by their previous coach, James Dee, was more boat-focused. But with an addition of a new rowing-centered training system, the team is now more consistent with their improvement than ever before.
In order to fully prepare for the Varsity Boat Race 2014, the team is currently shifting their training to an endurance program due to the nature of the events of the meet.
“In Singapore, it was a thousand meter competition and it was more of a sprint, that’s why most of our trainings were sprint-based,” says Garcia in a mix of English and Filipino. “For the Varsity Boat racing, it’s different. It’s more of muscle endurance; keeping a strong pace for a long period of time.”
The new additions
This year’s rowing team will be joined by a bevy of rookies, who will be aiding the team in the upcoming Varsity Boat Race.
Recruits include Nico Tanuecoz, Miguel Ayson, John Empig, JB Domingo, Noel Hernandez and Carl Tabora.
All of these recruits will be competing for the first time in the Varsity Boat Race this October. They are currently gearing up for the meet by undergoing the same program as the veterans.
“The only difference is that we have experience,” says Garcia. “They will be winning medals for the team in the near future.”
Staying focused
Having the opportunity to compete internationally is a great asset to the improvement of the Men’s Rowing team. But with the expectations set to a higher level, they also have to meet the demands that go with it.
With their rigorous training schedules, the team becomes more encouraged to stay committed through their camaraderie.
When asked on how he keeps his team motivated, Garcia emphasized proper communication with one another. He adds that knowing everyone’s strengths and weaknesses among the team brings them together as a more cohesive unit. With a strong sense of teamwork coupled with additional experience and confidence, the Ateneo Men’s Rowing team is more than ready to attain their goals.
