Local Team Makes
a Splash
USC Rowing Association creates
lifelong skills and memories.
BY PAUL GLASSER
R
encouraged Boettger to give it a chance. He initially thought it might
owing will be a lifelong pursuit for recent Upper St. Clair High
be boring but quickly fell in love with the sport. “I really like the way it
School graduate Brendan Boettger.
pushed me to my physical and mental limit,” Boettger says.
Boettger was a member of the Upper St. Clair Rowing
Rowing helps you become physically fit but it’s also a great way
Association for four years and will attend Temple University this fall
to build camaraderie and make friends. “You are pushing yourself to
on a partial scholarship for participation on the men’s crew team.
your maximum potential but everyone else on the boat is doing the
Crew is considered a varsity sport for students at Upper St. Clair High
same thing,” Boettger says. “It’s good to know you are not the only
School. Boettger hasn’t decided on his major yet but is considering
one who’s feeling that at the moment. You are with your team all the
either biology or business. He says he’s excited about living in
time so you get to know them really well. It’s a great way to make
Philadelphia and being challenged on the collegiate rowing team.
connections and lifetime
“Being surrounded by
people who are a lot better
friends.”
According to him, anyone
than me will help me
can participate in crew and
reach my full potential,”
provide leadership. The
he says. Boettger expects
to row throughout his
coxswain is an important
position because he or she
college career and says
yells commands to the
he will pursue the sport
team during races and helps
recreationally after he
steer the boat. Coxswains
graduates from Temple.
also help keep the team
“After dedicating eight
motivated.
years of my life to rowing, it
Being outdoors is another
would be pretty hard to give
great benefit of rowing.
it up,” he explains.
Boettger says rowing on the
Boettger played football,
Allegheny River provides
ice hockey and basketball
a great view of the city.
before he joined the
The crew team participates
Upper St. Clair Rowing
Front Row (l to r): Kapil Sharma (Captain),
Jack Shephard and Andrew Caldart (Captain)
in regattas in Ohio and
Association. His father
Back Row (l to r): Grace Wagner, Osa Wheeler
Virginia as well, and he
and brother had also
(Captain), Laura Yates, Kyra Hughes and
participated in crew and
noted that the Occoquan
Assistant Coach Dan Craft.
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