This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
08/09/2018 12:00 AMIt takes year-round dedication for rowers to prepare for race day in order to succeed in crew. However, that challenge didn’t intimidate Leo Freund, who proved a workhorse while rowing at the front of the boat with the crew at Guilford High School.
Leo, a recent graduate, grew up playing soccer and basketball, but then one of his friends encouraged him to give rowing a try. After joining the Indians, Leo earned his varsity spot in his sophomore season and became a strong force as a stroke rower, sitting in the 8 seat at the head of the boat for Guilford. As a senior captain this year, Leo guided the boys’ 8 boat to a berth in the State Championship final.
“The weight room they put into the science wing of the old high school helped me train in the winter, where we also had college rowers from here give us great workout programs. I also had [a rowing machine] in my room since after my freshman year, which helped improve my speed,” says Leo. “Many people don’t like the 8 seat, because you have to control the tempo and keep it the same. I can count the rhythm in my head, but if the boat isn’t in time, you can jolt forward. But I love controlling the tempo.”
Leo believes that rowing is that ultimate team competition. He loves the feeling when every member of the crew is in sync and helping the boat glide swiftly across the water.
“In my opinion, crew is the biggest team sport, because if one rower is having an off day, the whole boat is thrown off,” Leo says. “When everything and everyone is working together, the boat can fly.”
Leo gets a rush when his boat is going at a nice pace, although he also enjoys the peaceful atmosphere and scenery that come with the sport.
“If you find a happy medium for everyone with the rate to row at, it’s an amazing feeling,” says Leo. “On the water, some days are cold and windy, but for the most part, you have the sun and a nice breeze, which is great.”
Rowers undergo a full body workout during their practices and competitions. Crew forces athletes to use every muscle from head to toe, and Leo knows it’s important for rowers to break down the physics of the sport to a science.
“I think crew is one of the hardest sports to do. The legs do about 60 percent of the work to propel the boat, and it involves about 10 hours of practice per week. You also have to swing your body and then have the arms control the motion,” he says. “Rowing involves all motions of the body and they need to be sequenced correctly. Races involve anywhere from 250 to 500 strokes.”
Guilford crew Head Coach Matt Wilson says that Leo gave nothing less than 100 percent as a member of the Indians. Wilson adds that Leo always did so with a smile.
“Leo clearly loved rowing when he joined the varsity 8 boat as a sophomore. He came to practice every day with a positive attitude and gave his all in every workout,” says Wilson. “For the past two years, with dedication, stamina, and courage, Leo guided the boys’ 8 boat in over 15 races, in both 1,500 meters and 2.25-mile distances. In a close race, he led them into the final of the State Championship this year to finish in the top six.”
Leo says that rowing crew at Guilford was truly a communal experience. Leo was pleased to see the athletes on both teams constantly encouraging one another, while everyone outside the water was also lending a helping hand.
“We had great parents who would show up at the lake well before us to set up tents and food for us to have when we got there,” says Leo, who will attend Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. “The atmosphere with the whole program was great. Everyone was so positive and happy, and the guys and girls supported each other’s teams.”