New club rowing team pushes for success.

It's 7 a.m. and the water is smooth as ice. Four athletes climb into their shell, muscles tired after a seemingly short night of sleep, lock in their oars and begin to row. As they row in unison, the boat lifts out of the water and begins to hum. Slowly at first, then with more precision and speed, following the lead of their coxswain, comfortable knowing she is the brain and they are the machines. A rhythm is set and the boat slices through the water.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

This is the dedication displayed by HPU's new club rowing team, which boasts a team title and several first place crews. With more than 65 rowers, male and female, the team is thriving.

Sophomore captains Sophia Andreatos and Katelyn Schultz established the team at HPU and know the dedication, commitment and patience it takes to start a team. They also know what they put in is what they get out of it. Rowers spend anywhere from 11 to 17 hours a week training on land and on the water at Oak Hollow Lake.

With the addition of Cory Conzemius, head coach, the team is growing quickly as the winter was used as a recruiting season. Rowing has been a major part of Conzemius' life since 2005. He has coached at the high school and collegiate level, while working with adult rowers as well. He is pleased with the team and has high hopes for their future. Winning, yes, but developing their passion for the sport and building self-confidence through the spring is the most important. His experience and passion serves the rowers well.

"The spring looks to be very promising as the team continues to build the culture of HPU rowing," says Conzemius. "With the dedicated and driven student-athletes, the team has high goals and will push each other to be the best they can be. I aim to help each student-athlete achieve their individual goals, and that's the biggest thing that can be accomplished going into the spring."

Rowing is considered the ultimate team sport that is built off of technical precision, cardiovascular strength and fitness combined with mental preparedness...