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We stayed for the week in Ohio in order to capitalize on the chance to go further east the very next weekend to race the top ACC program, Syracuse and Yale from the Ivy League Conference. We did that in partnership with the our former conference powerhouses Cal and Stanford. Lineups changed significantly and we talked about racing to competitive margins on those teams. As a result, we proved (through indirect comparison) that we were the same speed as UVA and in hindsight now, we know we had better margins on Syracuse and Yale than teams that were selected over Oregon State for the NCAA Championships. AND we had a front row seat in watching Syracuse and UVA get DOMINATED by Cal and Stanford—who will join their conference next year. The team felt validated in seeing other programs that have traditionally had a much easier path to NCAAs register the challenge of have 2 top 6 programs, that have both won the NCAA Championships, now in their conference.

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It was a long and very educational trip from a rowing standpoint, however, it was really difficult to recover from physically and academically. It was a calculated risk on my part and while I do believe the team stretched and learned so much from that time together, I fully respect it took a lot out of them. That fatigue showed two weeks later when we fumbled in our performance at the Dexter Lake Invite, losing the V8 and 2V8 to Gonzaga, USC in the 2V8 and UCLA in the V8. We were all disappointed, frustrated and perhaps even a little shocked.

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Thankfully, we had 3 weeks to regroup and it was all hands on deck. Hannah the athletic trainer helped devise modified training plans for all the flared up injuries centering on how hard that athlete herself was willing to go. Jessica, our sport psychologist helped the team to process our emotions, fears, and nerves surrounding a poor performance at Dexter Lake in a way that freed us all to get back to work and reclaim our position as a very competitive team. If there is a highlight for the year for me, it was witnessing the team lean in and process all those negative feelings and work their way through to come out closer, more connected, more focused and ready to pounce at Pac 12s.

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Second to that highlight, was watching the team perform incredibly well at the last Pac 12 Championships. I stand by what I said to the team: that was the very best overall TEAM performance I have ever experienced as a coach. I have never laughed and cried so hard at the same time watching these warriors come down the course!! They were quite simply, profoundly inspiring. The 3V8 finally beat a team and beat their seed and beat WSU that had beaten them by open water at the beginning of the season. The V4 raced to 5th despite another new line up, the 2V8 beat their seed to own fourth place just 8 seconds off Cal and the V8 dominated their way to 4th just 7 seconds off UW. Collectively, the team scored the most total points at Pac 12s in program history finishing in 4th as a team for second time in the past 3 years. We relished the moment!!

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By contrast, NCAA Selection Tuesday was devastating. This team was overlooked as the Selection Committee selected Duke over Oregon State despite MANY coaches across the country noting Oregon State had better margins than Duke by the end of the season. We went from a high to a painful low. And both of those moments are real, vulnerable, and so rich with learning.

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I am so incredibly privileged to have been present with these remarkable women through these moments—and many more that have been painful, exciting, frustrating, invigorating….so full of life. Our end of BBQ was a beautiful moment to honor all of those the moments as well as a senior class that used all of their individual talents and lessons to guide the team through every peak and valley. They were an invaluable source of perspective and support to me as their head coach needing to understand how the team was functioning internally and to help the team understand some of my tougher less popular decisions along the way.

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In witnessing them celebrate each other at the BBQ, to celebrate their connection, their academic successes, to share what they learned from the year, and with the opportunity for me to personally celebrate them, the seniors, and this amazing staff that works so hard year round to create a transformative experience and support my vision—I fully arrived with peace that now is the very best time to step away and allow a new vision for the program to come and take this team to the next level.

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I have many complicated feelings and have wrestled with this decision for a long time, but the two feelings that bring me instantly to tears is inspired and grateful. I am profoundly grateful to have been a part of their lives and I genuinely love and respect how transformative this process can be for them—I will never forget the invigoration I felt witnessing them discover their strength. And to have your support, be it in fundraising, be it in volunteering, be it in words of support and a willingness to help me keep perspective has been critical in elevating this team in their development as humans, students, athletes and finally as a team that raced consistently within the top 20 in the country. To all of you and specifically the BRC, thank you does not seem sufficient, know that my whole heart is invested in those words. The future is bright for this team and I will forever be a super fan of the Beavs!!!

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Graduating Seniors- Women: 

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Zoë Bishop  - Environmental Science

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Anneka Davys – Political Science with an option in International Affairs. Minor in Business

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Maeve Donnelly – Psychology. Minor in Sociology

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Rebecca Falash – Climate Science

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Charlotte Gregory – Psychology. Minor in Sociology

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Torree Hawken – Kinesiology

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Evan Park – Chemistry with an option in Environmental Science

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Nicole Shultz – Political Science with an option in Law and Politics. Minor in Philosophy.

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