The Saline Crew team's first competition for the Fall 2005 season was held at the most difficult course in the nation, the Head of the Cuyahoga.  The course, shown in the annotated Google image, has three sharp oxbow turns with unforgiving corregated vertical steel banks.  The course is a long 2.5 miles (over 4 km).  This was the first time Saline Crew participated on this course.  None of these factors detered the team's winning spirit, and they brought home medals and medal performance in all three events participated.  

Coach Sparks readies the team for the events of the day.  It is not predicted to stop raining until the afternoon - and that doesn't quench the crew's spirit - in fact, you could hear them singing, "If all the raindrops ...".  

The Womens Novice 4 participate in the first race and bring home a second place medal!  The boat just behind them hit the wall at the sharpest hairpin turn! 

The Womens Varsity 4 passes two boats during the course (each boat was released 30 seconds apart).  Here they are (yellow blades) passing the first boat after the hairpin turn skillfully navigated by Coxie Kathleen!   Saline outperformed all 13 teams through well-honed technique, skillfull strategy, and unrelenting application of power.  This earned them a gold medal!!!!

The photo below is the Varsity 4 rowing back after the race is over!  Relaxed, but in champion form!

Coach Sparks preps the team for the Womens Varsity 8.   A race that is destined to produce perhaps the most spectacular images of the season!

The team places the boat in the water from the launch platform.

The Women's Varsity 8 has just rounded the hairpin turn, having already passed one team of 16 (launched 30 seconds apart).  The team is applying the focused precision and power required to win.  

Suddenly, the bow rower (Rachel) is jettisoned from the boat after "catching a crab" of the ultimate proportion!

After taking a launching blow to the stomach with her own oar, Rachel passes under the three remaining starboard oars, taking a bump or two along the way, as the remaining onboard team realizes what has happened and brings the speeding boat to a stop.  Rachel is in the cool Cuyahoga with the wind knocked out of her - having instantly gone from a focused aerobic competitive row, to a breathtaking swim - she signals for help while her team rows in reverse to the rescue!

The team catches up and Rachel climbs in the boat, the other rowers leaning to the opposite side to keep balance.  Several boats have passed and the rest of the boat decides to row to the dock (about mid course) so that Rachel can recover.  

On their way to the dock, Rachel declares, "I can row!"  The rest of  the team is worried about Rachel and continues to ease their way toward the dock.  On their way to the dock, Rachel insists, "Lets go!"  Very near the dock, Coxie Kathleen is asked by a dock launch crew if they needed assistance.  Rachel says again, "Lets go!"  At that point, Coxie Kathleen announces to the launch crew, "We are finishing the race!"  The picture below is just a few seconds after that announcement as the team prepares for a powerful restart!  

Moments later - back to precision form and power - even "upped a notch" - empowered by the courageous athleticism of their teamate. 

As they speed around the oxbow bends, if one looks close into the eyes of the team, one might notice a few tears beneath expressions determined to finish the race at supreme capacity.  

And that they did.   Treasures of the Cuyahoga ...