Page 7 - French and Electric Blue - Winter 2017-2018
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MSP Crew with Coxswain Rachel Purrington Photo by Sportgraphics
to navigate for the team and enjoyed her time demands of rowing.
working with us.
“As someone who’s been on the job for a
“Being able to have the opportunity to be while, I was at a point where I wondered if I could
the coxswain for the Massachusetts State Police in still handle the job physically, or more generally,
the Head of the Charles this year was an amazing was I past the point of ‘being in shape.’ ” Sgt. Swift
experience,” she said. “I have coxed the Charles said. “Then, the prospect of rowing for the State
for the past four years, but this year’s experience Police crew presented itself. I figured, ‘if you can
was very unique. As the men raced down the row, you must be in shape,’ so I went for it.”
course, announcers told the crowd that the Mass
State Police were coming down and a roar came Swifty dedicated his time doing a Learn to
over the river. It was amazing to lead a group of Row program out of CRI boathouse in the spring,
guys who work so hard and are so respected by the learning that “There is so much more to rowing
community. I had a great time and hope to work than power and stamina. It’s a very technical
with this group in the future.” sport, and proper form and timing is every bit as
important as power. Everyone in the boat has to
One of the great stories of the year is new row as one.”
rower Sergeant Jon Swift, or “Swifty” as he is more
commonly known. We worked together on a road The MSP Crew began practicing together
detail and after he signed on to row for the team, once or twice a week throughout August and early
he promised to be at every practice from day one. September. For Swifty, it was his first experience
Sergeant Swift committed himself for the physical rowing in a four-man boat.
F r en c h·a n d·E le c t r ic·B l ue·W in t er·2017/2018·p a g e·7
