Steven Lewis (\u201925) was introduced to the sport of rowing upon entering high school in the fall of 2021. After being inspired by other student athletes, he decided to join the crew team and has been rowing ever since.<\/p>\n
\u201cI decided to try crew during the fall season of my freshman year,\u201d he said. \u201cAs soon as I joined the team, I fell in love with rowing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unlike all other teams at the school, the crew team\u2019s training schedule spans all three sports seasons. Starting in late August with other fall sports, they continue to row until their final race in early July, totaling nine months of training and competition.<\/p>\n
During the extended season, the crew team undergoes different stages of training and competition. Lewis said the first few months of the season serve as an adjustment phase.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the fall season our main goal is just to get back into the rhythm of training,\u201d he said. \u201cEspecially after taking time off in the summer, it\u2019s extremely important for our success later in the season that we use this time to readjust and build our fitness back up.\u201d<\/p>\n
As winter approaches, Lewis shifts his focus to the first races of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have our first head races throughout the winter months, and this is a pivotal point in our season when we complete the bulk of our training,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead to the spring season, multiple races are scheduled from March to May, culminating in the Henley Royal Regatta in July where the team will compete against teams from across England.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s in these next few months of competitions and races that we really begin to see all of our hard work pay off,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The crew team trains up to six days a week, combining gym sessions with time on rowing machines and on the water. Despite the demanding practices, Lewis said the supportive team dynamic encourages him to stay motivated.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen our team goes through challenges together, it makes it easier for us to improve knowing that we\u2019re all struggling,\u201d he said. \u201cThis applies throughout both hard practices and during competitions.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the crew team often races in groups of two or four, team dynamics play a significant role in the sport, and for Lewis, it\u2019s what he enjoys most.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my teammates and the connections I\u2019ve built with them that really inspired me to start rowing in the first place,\u201d he said. \u201cMy favorite part of crew is seeing my teammates push each other to improve, since it\u2019s these people that got me to where I am with the sport today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lewis said the team\u2019s desire to succeed at their upcoming races serve as additional motivation for improvement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really great to see how much faster everyone has gotten throughout our fall and winter training,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope our team continues to progress and we see all of our hard work pay off with a medal at the National Schools Regatta.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he looks forward to the process of college recruitment, Lewis said he hopes to continue competing in the next chapter of his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince joining the crew team, I\u2019ve been passionate about rowing and the way it challenges me both mentally and physically,\u201d Lewis said. \u201cMy experience on the ASL crew team has been so positive that I\u2019m looking forward to continue improving as both an athlete and an individual in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n