Men's Rowing

The Mercyhurst rowing coaches honor an athlete each week who shines during the grueling winter training. These athletes exemplify the values that epitomize the program.

Week of Feb. 3
Ben Wells
Ben Wells walked on to the team last year as freshman and he quickly and quietly committed himself to becoming the best athlete he can be.

"He pushes me really hard on the weights," his lifting partner Andrew Chapman said. "I have such a natural advantage being significantly bigger, but he's always right there, going higher with the weights each time. He truly impresses me."

Wells is the consummate team player: genuine, hardworking, positive, supportive, and likable. He embraces the grueling daily winter practices because, "I love rowing on the water. That's it. I got hooked on the Saturday morning practices last year in the fall. And of course, I discovered I loved racing in the spring."

Wells won the team's rowing eliminator (in the style of American Gladiator) challenge Saturday. His accomplishments in rowing are complimented by his academic commitment as an archaeology major with a history minor. He is a Mercyhurst Ambassador and enjoys a good movie of any genre to relax.

Alicia Peterson
On January 28, Peterson wrestled a full hard-fought match at morning practice and returned to top form by the afternoon to perform the 2000-meter erg test, pulling a personal best and the team's fastest score of the year. This was a typical day for Peterson.

Peterson's cheerful, determined energy makes her a great rower and extends to the academic realm. She has a solid work ethic as a social work major with a political science minor.

"I'm very compassionate," Petersona said. "I'd like to go on to graduate school where I can further discover laws and policies to help clients get the best possible attention."

Peterson walked on to the rowing team as a freshman last year. As a sophomore, she has a positive attitude and the self-confidence it takes to do her best everyday. She is determined to do well and raises the standard of those around her.

When not rowing or studying, Peterson likes to nap, watch movies, and go to Tim Horton's for breakfast after morning practice. She also has a talent for making others laugh, especially with home videos.

"We like to poke fun at all our hard work; winter training is a good target," Peterson said. "My sense of humor helps me get through everything in life. I know when to be serious, when to let things go, and when it deserves to create laughter instead of tension."

Tension inhibits speed in the rowing shells. With Peterson and her teammates working hard all winter, Mercyhurst College will be fast in the spring!

Week of Jan. 27
Melanie Peters
Melanie Peters exhibits the perfect combination of motivation and leadership. She pushes to get more out of others and herself. She is consistently focused and powerful.

Teammate Chelsea Bushby said, "She's the perfect example of `It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.' She always finds that extra little bit that will get us to the line that much faster."

In a sport where size is often an advantage, team captain Peters is the lightest rower. "I love to prove cynics wrong," she said. "When I do, it is a testament to my work ethic and diligence in training."

A senior social work major, Peters is on top of her goals academically, athletically, and personally. She possesses the determination and drive to keep going when others may tire.

"Mercyhurst rowing made me more efficient with my time and helps me prioritize," Peters said. "It has given me the tools to figure out what's important in life and how to get there."

Andrew Chapman
Andrew Chapman works hard at all the practices, whether its carrying the heaviest guys up the stairs, or gracefully swimming laps. He walked on to the team as a sophomore, eager to learn a new sport and reconnect with the competitive athlete within him. Now a senior graphic design major with a minor in web production, he is making good use of every practice he has left before graduation.

"The winter training program encourages me to latch on and utilize the best of my abilities," Chapman said. "I especially like the lifting. I've always been able to lift heavy weights because I'm big. Our lifting program challenges my kinesthetic awareness. I'm so much better at controlling my body now."

Chapman's favorite inspirational quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." - Aristotle

Week of Jan 13
Michael Baggaley
Baggaley is a lightweight freshman rower who thinks large. Hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, he gets noticed for his ability to conquer each practice with noble enthusiasm and quiet determination.

"If I can complete all the workouts with a lot of intensity," Baggaley said, "I know I will be able to reach my goals."

He has a great sense of humor and is a friend to all his teammates. He is a sports medicine - athletic training major and an avid reader of books on sports and nutrition, also enjoying autobiographies.

Courtney Clark
Novice rower Courtney Clark is a delightful addition to the team. She puts 100 percent effort into every practice. Although she has never competed in rowing she is just as determined as her teammates to earn a seat in a competition boat this spring. She is a pleasure to coach. Constantly improving in every venue of winter training, especially weights and wrestling, Clark is dedicated to her academic prowess as an intelligence studies major.

Why does Courtney row? "I wanted to try something new. Rowing seemed cool. I've only been out in the boat twice in the fall, but I loved it. It's hard to describe. I was in a zone and felt like I would just keep going. It's hard, but smooth, gliding across the water. It felt right to be out there."

Week of Dec 16-22
Michelle Olivares
Mitzie always keeps great perspective on the important things in life. She is friendly to everyone and has a great sense of humor. She has been fighting back from a back injury, a preexisting condition that was brought out by rowing. Her injury has prevented her from rowing since her novice year. Never knowing if she will return to rowable status and despite not being able to do many of the things her teammates can, she challenges herself every practice. Now a junior intelligence studies major with a political science minor, she excels academically. She looks forward to the opportunity to pull on the oar this spring for Mercyhurst. Mitzie shines far beyond her sunny disposition to being a beacon for her teammates and an inspiration for us all.

What does it mean to Mitzie to be a Mercyhurst Rower? "Dedication. I have an obligation not only to myself, but to the eight other women in the boat. For every `I can't' there are eight `I will's'."

Week of Dec 9-15
Zach Auerbach
Zach is a freshman rower who puts in solid effort everyday which shows in his steady improvement. He begins each practice with a positive attitude and a smile. He is eager to learn new skills and is very coachable. He achieved a 4.0 grade point average in his first term as an intelligence studies major at Mercyhurst. His favorite quote is "Second place is the first to lose." Zach focuses on achieving his goals to win in the classroom and on the water.