By Bruce BourquinStaff Writer
Try waking up at 5 a.m. every morning without any coffee.
Go to the beach, jump in a boat, and row about 15 miles out in themiddle of the ocean. Row to shore, and have a friend shout orders atyou. Then run at least five miles before the sun peeks up, or downthe old steps at Aztec Bowl for 20 minutes straight without resting.End your own little torture workout at around 7:30 a.m.
That’s before you go to a full load of classes.
Only then you would know what it’s like to be on the men’s crewteam. It’s that kind of dedication every morning that keeps San DiegoState novice team members like Sean McDermott and Dakota Montgomeryin contention in every event they challenge for.
“It’s about pushing your body to the limits,” McDermott said. “(Itinvolves) all aspects from physically and mentally to socially andacademically.”
On their home turf at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center, SDSUfinished second in the San Diego Fall Classic last November 14th.They beat UC San Diego by 14 seconds and finished behind Orange CoastCollege by only a minute.
OCC is one of the best rowing teams in the country, and theyproved their strength by winning the event.
“They actually recruit the best rowers out there despite being acommunity college,” McDermott said. “We knew going in that they had agreat chance to win. We’re glad we beat UCSD and University of SanDiego, and we did extremely well.”
Montgomery is one of the Aztecs lead rowers, and decided to joincrew, although it takes up a lot of time and effort.
“You definitely have to have an abundant amount of discipline.Managing your time is crucial too,” he said.
First year head coach Alan Ranga likes the results of his crewteam so far.
“We were expecting to be in the top five. Our team had a good ideathey were doing well when they passed most boats,” Ranga said. “Wehave a core group of athletes, and their dedication will carry them along way.”
The team also hits the gym four times a week to weight train.McDermott said the hard work pays off if one wants it enough.
“You realize what you’ve accomplished. Our team is about thechallenge of competing and practicing hard events. It’s in thischallenge that we have accomplished that we have performed well.”
The Aztecs are trying to raise money for next spring. JoiningAlpha Delta Pi sorority, winners of the Dean’s Trophy, the team willaccept donations for the Row-a-Thon this Saturday. In return, theteam will landscape their house in 2000.
Ranga is looking forward to next spring’s races and is stilllooking for a few good rowers.
“We’re still taking people for next spring. Anyone who’s dedicatedto joining a great group of guys and wants to win some races, we’lltake them.”
McDermott said that the team is looking for some new blood to helpout the Aztecs. He wants everyone to know what the events can bringfor anyone looking forward to joining.
“Nothing can keep you from becoming someone great,” McDermottsaid. “We’d like to remind anybody who wants to tryout that noexperience is necessary. We will train anyone who wants to row forus.”
