1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
To tell you the truth, I don't really remember when my first practice was. I grew up with my dad coaching and running a rowing camp in Maine and I have pictures of myself sitting in a shell when I was about 4 years old. I really started training and competing on a serious level when I got to college though. I just remember showing up on that first day at Northeastern, watching the varsity guys do their workout and thinking to myself, "I've got some serious work to do."
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
I really enjoyed my time training and racing with my teammates at Northeastern. When my four years were up though, I figured that was it for me. I actually joined the lacrosse team for my 5th year (I had played all through high school). After graduating, I found myself working out more and more; doing ergs and jumping out on the Charles in a single when I could manage. I'm not sure why I started again, I guess I just missed the training and the competitive nature of it. I would work out in the morning and then I'd go work at Gentle Giant, moving boxes up and down the stairs all day. I figured it was great cross training. After a little while, I decided that I really wanted to make a go of it and headed to San Francisco to train with the California Rowing Club. I think that was probably the defining moment for me; when I decided to move across the country and really commit to try and make the National Team.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
Looking back, I think some of my favorite practices and races were also some of the worst; racing the Foot of the Charles in the wind and sleet, training with the Navy SEALs for a day in Coronado, racing 24km around Alameda Island in singles at the CRC. I seem to fondly remember those days more than most.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
I once broke my 2k PR 5 times in one day. It's not exactly fair though; I hadn't done a real 2k yet when our coach prescribed a 5 x 2k workout. Each piece at a slightly higher rate. I PR'd the first piece and then went a little faster each piece after. It sounds better when you just get to say you PR'd 5 times though.
5. Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
It's a bit cliche'd, but never underestimate where a bit of hard work can get you.
Club Affiliation: California Rowing Club
Began Rowing: Duxbury Bay Maritime School
Date of Birth: 6/13/84
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 205
High School: Duxbury High School
Undergraduate Education: Northeastern University
Current Coaches: Tim McLaren, Mike Teti
Years on National Team: Five –2006, Under 23; 2009-12, Senior
International Results: Won the eight at the 2012 Final Olympic Qualification Regatta...Finished 11th in the double sculls at the 2011 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne...Reached the semifinals of the Double Sculls Challenge Cup at the 2011 Henley Royal Regatta...Finished fifth in the double sculls at the 2011 Rowing World Cup stop in Munich...Finished eighth in the quadruple sculls at the 2010 World Rowing Championships...Finished eighth in the quadruple sculls at the 2010 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne...Finished 12th in the quadruple sculls at the 2009 World Rowing Championships…Finished fourth in the quadruple sculls at the 2009 Rowing World Cup stop in Lucerne…Finished sixth in the four with coxswain at the 2006 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.
National Results: Finished third in the pair at the 2012 National Selection Regatta #2...Won the double sculls at the 2011 National Selection Regatta #2...Won the single sculls at the 2011 West Coast Spring Speed Order...Finished second in the double sculls at the 2010 National Selection Regatta #2...Won gold in the quadruple sculls at the 2009 USRowing National Championships.
Personal: Will enjoys surfing and shaping surfboards at the training center in his free time…He also likes kiteboarding, hiking and mountain biking...Will's father competed on the 1972 U.S. Olympic Rowing Team.
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