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and our coxswain, Inna, calling out instructions and motivating us person in our boat, Inn Oh. Even though she’s only a high school
as we raced. It felt great to be part of something so positive. We senior, she always carried herself like a true professional and
work on the same job and it was great to bond with this group experienced coxswain. We trusted her as one of our own. Any
of guys and compete together. I am so proud to be a part of the college would be lucky to grab her up.
first Massachusetts State Police Rowing Team that participated in “I hope this tradition continues and more people step up to learn
the Head of the Charles Regatta. I feel extremely lucky that this to row!”
all came together. It wouldn’t have happened without the help of Sean Maloney says in reflection: “Looking back at the Head of
Chris Maietta, our coach from Wayland-Weston, Shayne Rowan, the Charles experience, I’m satisfied that we met our goals. Four
Inna Oh, the Wayland-Weston Rowing Association, Northeastern former rowers and a coxswain, with varying backgrounds in the
Crew, and of course our team. I am very excited for the future of sport, accepted the challenge to train under excellent coaches for a
the team, and I look forward to the possibility of rowing in the race that was less than a month away. Some of us hadn’t touched an
Regatta next year.” oar in 20 years, yet we accepted an aggressive training schedule in
Matthew Davis described his race experience as “incredible; a order to compete in one of the sport’s most difficult and prestigious
dream come true.” He explained further: “With only a couple of contests. By race day, we were ready.
week’s practice on the water we knew we wouldn’t place high or “The one word I’ll use to describe our race was ‘intense.’ We
even at all. We knew we were going up against collegiate athletes knew going into our event that we would be competing against
half our age, in better shape, and with way more practice than we seasoned crews half our age from schools that included Harvard,
had. That didn’t discourage us in any way. We were a proud crew, Dartmouth, and West Point, as well as some of the top rowing clubs
just wanting to represent the Massachusetts State Police the best we in the country. Despite having this in mind as we moved up to the
could and have fun while doing it. starting line, there was no apprehension in the boat, only resolve.
“Personally, the day of the race we all rowed and worked together The intensity built as we powered up to maximum pressure to
the best of all our times on the water, even with a little hiccup from enter the course. Inna, our cox, became our collective conscience
Duke University colliding with our boat. We all survived, worked as her voice commanded nothing less than what we were capable of
together and marched on as troopers do. producing. I’m told that we received as good a reception from the
“I cannot thank our coach, Shayne Rowan, enough for her selfless crowd as four cops could hope for, but I never noticed. My focus
dedication of her own time and enthusiasm day in and day out! never left the boat. Our motion was tethered to Pat Mahady in the
She is the woman behind the curtain and wishes to remain out of stroke seat. CATCH! DRIVE! RECOVER! This focus was broken
the spotlight, but needs to be recognized for her efforts, turning only briefly when Duke nearly rammed us in the tight corner at the
us from just a group of former college rowers into HOCR rowers Weeks Footbridge. The clashing of oars brought us to a halt and
representing the Massachusetts State Police. Thank you Shayne! hurt our time considerably, but Inna brought us back up to speed
“Thank you to all my teammates for their patience and dedication very quickly.
to one another and especially a thank you to the most important
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