Interview with Joseph Palmer, men's crew coach
-Online exclusive-
By: Ethan Greenberg
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:43 PM EST
Last update: 5/7/07 at 11:39 AM EST
Originally published: 5/4/07 at 3:43 PM EST
Last update: 5/7/07 at 11:39 AM EST
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T: Now that the season is coming to an end, how do you feel about your teams progress and growth through the season?
P: I could not be happier with my team right now. We have had some ups and downs this season, but that comes with any sports team. But it's how you respond when you're down. I feel that in a time of adversity is when you really show your true character. When we were down this season we didn't lick our wombs, we responded with hard-work. On my current team we are not short on people who want to work hard, and that is the most important thing, you have to have the guys who are willing to work hard, who are willing to do the extra work that other teams aren't willing to do. We have been getting bigger, stronger and faster all season, and I think it's a testament to the training. This season we implemented a rigorous training schedule, and the guys have responded very well to it, and that has been the key to our success this spring.
T: With the Dad Vails coming up, what kinds of expectations do you have for your team coming in? Will you be doing any special preparations?
P: With Dad Vails coming up we will start our taper that's pretty much the only thing that will change with our training. We will start cutting back the volume, but we will crank the intensity up a bit. The practices get shorter, but you still have to bring it everyday. If we let up for one day we are taking steps back on the competition, and that's not acceptable. I expect our team to do well at Vails. I think the Varsity Eight field is going to be one of the fastest in recent history. There is going to be 10-12 teams that can make the Grand Final, which is the top six. So it's going to take a true warrior to get into the Grand Final. I feel that our Varsity Eight has the speed to make the Grand Finals, and once you qualify for the Grands it's anyone's race. But it is going to be an old school slug fest to get into the Grands.
I feel our JV Eight is a definite medal contender. I feel Temple is the clear favorite, but nothing is guaranteed in this sport, but I feel at the end of the day if our JV 8 races the way they are capable of then they will have a very successful day.
P: I could not be happier with my team right now. We have had some ups and downs this season, but that comes with any sports team. But it's how you respond when you're down. I feel that in a time of adversity is when you really show your true character. When we were down this season we didn't lick our wombs, we responded with hard-work. On my current team we are not short on people who want to work hard, and that is the most important thing, you have to have the guys who are willing to work hard, who are willing to do the extra work that other teams aren't willing to do. We have been getting bigger, stronger and faster all season, and I think it's a testament to the training. This season we implemented a rigorous training schedule, and the guys have responded very well to it, and that has been the key to our success this spring.
T: With the Dad Vails coming up, what kinds of expectations do you have for your team coming in? Will you be doing any special preparations?
P: With Dad Vails coming up we will start our taper that's pretty much the only thing that will change with our training. We will start cutting back the volume, but we will crank the intensity up a bit. The practices get shorter, but you still have to bring it everyday. If we let up for one day we are taking steps back on the competition, and that's not acceptable. I expect our team to do well at Vails. I think the Varsity Eight field is going to be one of the fastest in recent history. There is going to be 10-12 teams that can make the Grand Final, which is the top six. So it's going to take a true warrior to get into the Grand Final. I feel that our Varsity Eight has the speed to make the Grand Finals, and once you qualify for the Grands it's anyone's race. But it is going to be an old school slug fest to get into the Grands.
I feel our JV Eight is a definite medal contender. I feel Temple is the clear favorite, but nothing is guaranteed in this sport, but I feel at the end of the day if our JV 8 races the way they are capable of then they will have a very successful day.
