Men's Crew Season Preview

Williams Sports InfoBy Ken Sluis
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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The men’s crew hit the ground running. On the first day of classes, two days of fitness testing began. The team performed a 6k piece and a 3-mile run in preparation for an exciting season.

The results looked very encouraging for the crew. Captain Cameron Skinner 2010 remarked, “the preliminary testing results look promising, it seems everyone really kept up this summer and we hope to translate these gains to the water."

This season also reunites the rowers with Coach Peter Wells 1979. Wells was away on sabbatical in Australia and other locations. He observed different rowing programs and added to his extensive mastery of the sport.

The prospects for the rest of the fall season seem quite great, but, “Coming off of an impressive season where we ended Trinity's streak of wins since 2005, we realize that we have a big target on our back. Winning the Head of the Charles yet again will be the big goal of the fall season. Otherwise, we hope to lay a foundation for the winter and spring seasons to reassert ourselves come May at the New England Championships and ECACs,” said Captain Greg Ferris 2010.

He continued, “with a solid group of incoming freshmen and only graduating three rowers last year, we are ready to get back to work.” This year brings seven experienced freshman to the crew. Freshman Coach Colin Regan he success of the frosh group will really lie in work ethic throughout the year. We have more experience than last year and if that experience can be combined with the enthusiasm and tenacity of last year's frosh, I believe they can be very competitive.“

The varsity Eight stands to lose only two members from last years graduating class, seven experienced rowers arrived with the class of 2013. The crew remains largely similar to last year.

In the few weeks since the beginning of formal training, the emphasis has been split between developing a unified technique, seat-racing for spots in the Varsity Boats, and general boat-fitness.

The team will continue to enjoy training on Lake Onota in Pittsfield this year in preparation for the Head of The Charles Regatta. On October 17 or 18 the crew will race up the Charles River in Boston with the first competition berth. Trinity will be launched a few seconds behind, and the boat with the fastest adjusted time will win. As always, the crew is welcoming to any athletes willing to prove their mettle.

Just yesterday the team practiced a few simulations of the Head of the Charles race in preparation for the regatta just two weeks away. The boats have not been set as of yet due to encouraging competition.

Next week, the crew will race at the Head of the Housatonic in the IRA or highest category event.
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Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.
 
But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.
 
"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."
 
"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.
 
Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.
 
The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.
 
Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.
 
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