By: Abby Ryu ‘26

Wyoming Seminary Rowing has had a rough journey these past few years. Coach-less and boat-less at the start of the 2024-2025 season, the team feared they wouldn’t be able to pull together. Nonetheless, the team persevered, training all throughout the winter on the school’s erg machines or in the weight room. Thanks to continued persistence and hard work by everyone; rowers, parents, and coaches, the team was finally able to make it onto the lake for the spring season.

Going in, both the team and Dr. Froelich still knew the season would not be “normal” and they were right. While the team was thankfully able to resolve the boat situation by continuing their previous partnership with Harvey’s Lake Rowing Club, they still lacked a coach. When the long search for a head coach failed to resolve this problem, Dr. Froelich offered to step up for the position. However, given the risks associated with being a water sport, the school would not allow brand new rowers on the water without the supervision of a familiar licensed professional. Even after the season was approved (with only returning rowers being allowed to participate), the team struggled to get spring practices up and running on a regular basis because of the sport’s unique reliance on weather. The team only started consistently rowing on the lake at the start of April. Initially planning to row three regattas, the team will have only rowed one (City Championships) by the end of the season due to their late start to practice. 

As far as specific goals for next year, second-year rower Claire Woo ‘27 hopes to “row in more races and get better at rowing in general.”. Franny Froelich ‘27, acknowledging the gap left by the many graduating seniors on the team, hopes to also “continue to support the team as a whole.” Considering the many trials successfully overcome by the team this past year and their strong crop of passionate underclassmen, Wyoming Seminary Rowing will certainly be a team to look out for next year!

Regardless of all the trials, the team has also encountered tribulations; nearly all 2024-2025 rowers returned and the team atmosphere remained positive in the face of uncertainty. Reflecting on the season, varsity rower Clare Griffin ‘25 said “Even though it’s been a very unconventional season, I’m really grateful we still have a chance to row. Our team chemistry is really good.”