Q&A: Newsome discusses Men's Crew

Matt Newsome is a sophomore at Marietta College who has just started his second season of crew. He is an experienced rower and very passionate and enthusiastic about what the upcoming journey on the water holds for him and his teammates. Q: How did you get involved in crew at Marietta College?
A: I first got involved in crew in high school. When I was looking for colleges, having a competitive crew team was a must. I first heard about MC through a friend of the family who had visited here several years before. Since I knew I wanted to continue rowing in college, I looked up MC's history as a crew team. I chose Marietta because it has a long history of success in the rowing community.

Q: What is a crew season like?
A: We have the fall season when we work to gain strength and aerobic capacity. This starts in August when we first arrive at school and continues through the middle of November. There are a few races scattered through there that are on average 5,000 meters long. This season is followed by a non-team organized training period. This lasts from November till January when we return to school. In January, team practices start in the erg room where we have workouts that are formatted to get the team into racing shape. Races then start on the water in mid March and end in May. We travel all over, but all of this work has been in preparation for the Dad Vail in PA.

Q: How did you like your first season? What is the main reason you are coming out for a second season?
A: I loved my first season of rowing, but it was a challenge for all the freshmen on the team. Our recruited class was a group of exceptional athletes that all had to fight for a place in the top freshman boat. This boat went on to place third in our largest race of the year, called the Dad Vail Regatta. I was able to claim a seat in this boat and being that close to a major college level win was a part of my reason for continuing to row. Another reason I decided to row again is for the sport itself. Rowing is like no other sport I have ever been involved in. It is a sport of strength, rhythm, and pure energy. The group of eight rowers has to synchronize to move a shell as fast as they want it to go.

Q: What are the common characteristics that make a good rower?
A: A good rower is someone who knows how much work it really takes to be the best. Characteristics that are needed include perseverance, determination, strong work ethic and team oriented to say a few. I believe in my teammates and I know we will work hard to have a successful season and hopefully a Dad Vail Championship.

Q: What position do you hold on the team?
A: My position on the team last year was in the bow of the boat. In the boat seat, I help to keep the boat set up, which means keep the boat in a level plane to allow the speed of the boat to continue with as little resistance as possible. It takes eight skilled rowers and an intelligent and motivational coxswain to make a boat go fast.

Q: Has rowing changed you as a person?
A: I have been rowing for six years now, and it has made me who I am. The intense training and hard work has made me a very determined person. In this sport, it is all about who has trained the best to get his or her body and skill to the highest level, so this idea has overflowed into my life.