One of the biggest sports teams at Malden High School is the crew team. Head coach Sarah Jones has coached the team for ten years and is assisted by Shauna Campbell. The coaches have helped to expand the team and contributed to its success over the years.
Crew is a sport that engages the entire body as arms, legs, and core are all required for rowing. The team practices five days a week for about 2-3 hours and attends races on the weekends. There are 17 events that the team is scheduled to take part in this season. The biggest event is the Moose on the Malden Regatta which is held at the end of May where teams from Massachusetts and Maine attend to race.
Senior captain Michael Light joined the crew team his freshman year. He thought that “crew seem[ed] [like] the most interesting [sport] because not many people know what it’s about. ” He continued, “[Students] said that it was really fun and … it sounded like something [he] would like to try.”
Senior captain Samantha Forestier also joined the crew team her freshman year because she “loved the team aspect” of the sport. “It is unique to any other sport in the city,” expressed Forestier. She added that crew “is an amazing opportunity that an urban school like Malden is able to compete in.” The crew team is very special to Forestier and she “enjoys spending [her] time after school and [her] weekends with all of [her] teammates.”
As a captain, Forestier mentioned that she wants to push her teammates to improve and try their best. She looks to maintain a positive atmosphere on the team and wishes that everyone can have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the season. “Crew is different from the other sports because you have to work together as a team to row in unison.” To achieve their goals, communication and cooperation are vital aspects. Forestier wants to ensure that everyone is enjoying their time during practice and at regattas. In addition, Senior captain Stephen Lafauci hopes for the team to build strong bonds on and off the water.
The Malden boathouse and dock are currently closed based on contaminants in the river so the team will be using the Medford boathouse until further notice. With the support of strong leadership from coaches and captains alike, the crew team will surely have a successful season.
To read more about the boathouse closing, click here.
