The Cathedral Catholic Athletic Department is looking forward to adopting a new and unique sport into the Dons’ athletic family – rowing.  According to the Athletic Department, all that crew needs to succeed is student interest.

The Cathedral Catholic Director of Athletics, Mr. David Smola, has decided to collaborate with the San Diego Rowing Club (SDRC) by using their amazing facilities and coaching staff.  The SDRC coaches Art Sloate and Chris Callaghan are very enthusiastic about publicizing this amazing sport and getting the opportunity to work with a high school team.  Sloate and Callaghan are currently working with only club teams within the SDRC, but are very interested in getting involved with the first high school crew team in San Diego.

The team is looking to be launched in December and will continue to practice and compete through June.  The team will consist of 24 rowers and 3 coxswains and individuals will be placed into teams of 8 women or 8 men (no coed boats).  Crew will be a varsity lettered sport there will be no tryouts or cuts.  There will also be a two week grace period to commit.

“For a demanding and competitive sport like volleyball, it requires a 7 hour workout to burn the same amount of calories as 2 hours of rowing,” said team mom Alina Tan.

Crew is a very demanding sport, but according to the coaches and staff, “It will change your life”.  The team will practice Monday through Friday, from 2:30-4:00, at the San Diego Rowing Club in Mission Bay.

Being a part of the crew team provides an advantage to those applying to college.  Some of the most prestigious universities in the country have top rowing teams.  These universities are always looking to recruit and add new athletes to their team.

“It is not easy to get recruited by these universities, but  it is not impossible.  If you have potential, getting on a recruiter’s radar would be great,” said coach Brooks Dagman who is the men’s rowing coach for USD.

Regardless, if you plan on rowing in college or not, the college admission counselors look highly upon those who participate in rowing and take into consideration how organized you must be with time management and balancing school-work.

For more information about the crew team, students may contact the athletic department or team mom, Alina Tan.