Oct. 2, 2006

Throughout the season, members of the UNC rowing team will provide TarHeelBlue.com readers with an inside look at the Carolina program and the experience of being a varsity athlete at UNC. This installment, the third of the 2006-07 school year and the first ever to be written in rhyme, is by Megan Mitzel, a senior from Catonsville, Md.

This past week we've all been in pairs
It's been the first time for many
And we've had some scares
With technique drills some pairs develop
Level handle heights and finesse
While practicing catch placement
Leaves others shaking in distress
A rare few experience oar lock difficulties
And actually flip resulting in a shivering mess
We've had starboards coxing
And boats almost run ashore
While some manage to stick the 12k course
Others take a lengthy detour
We've had to rely on internal motivation
And been accountable for every stroke
We've developed communication with our partners
And have codes for power tens, no joke
We've got track bites and sore muscles
And memories of a collision disaster
But we've got more meters under our belts
And are showing potential to be faster
Melissa says we're building champions
So we'll continue to work harder and longer
Than anyone else, and in the end
`What doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.'

Megan Mitzel