By Anne Larsen
This past February, OAR junior rower Corban Nemeth competed in Seattle at Ergomania the indoor rowing competition where competitors face off with each other on indoor rowing machines. Corban competed in the 2k event and finished in a time of 6 minutes and 34 seconds. This time was the fastest time of the male junior OAR competitor. The time earned him an 8th place finish in his heat and a 10th place in his division of 55 junior competitors. Ergomania is known for its action packed environment (the spectators fill the room!) and fierce competition. Early in the year, Corban had set a goal for this event, trained religiously on the indoor rowing machine, and happily reaped the rewards of his hard Winter training. Ergomania will set the foundation for a year of spectacular performances for Corban and his teammates at OAR. With a competitive Spring season around the corner, Corban is building off this first victory and will undoubtedly help lead his team to greater heights this season!
Corban started out rowing just 2 years ago and he’s been crushing it ever since. His grandfather rowed in Seattle and inspired him to take up the sport going into his Freshman year of high school. In the years leading up to his Freshman year he played basketball, but now you can find him Monday – Friday from 3:20 – 5:30 working out at Olympia Area Rowing (OAR) with his coach Brittney and teammates. Corban attends Black Hills High School and although none of his male classmates row, he thinks rowing is “pretty cool because you get to know people that you wouldn’t normally know.” The first two summers he rowed he didn’t come back in the Fall, but after those two seasons he came back and was bumped up to varsity level.”Coming in with fast varsity rowers pushed me harder, and that’s when I really had a breakthrough in rowing.”
Summer for junior rowers involves early morning practices on Budd Inlet, learning rowing skills and just enjoying the sport. In the Fall, the emphasis is on longer distance rowing for endurance training. Fall races range from five to eight miles in length. This past Fall season was really good for Corban and the Olympia team. They were undefeated until the last big race of the season – where they placed 3rd. In the Winter, juniors have an optional gym and weightlifting class and are coached in an indoor environment. Corban spends an extraordinary amount of time on the indoor rowing machine in the winter months building strength and endurance, giving him the competitive edge for Spring races. “Whenever I’m working out I push myself hard to get the most out of every workout.” The Spring season is all about competition. Spring races are “sprints” ranging from 1000 to 2000 meters in length. Corban’s big goals for this Spring are to make it to Nationals (on the East Coast) and place in the Top 3 at the regional regatta in May.
What does the future hold for Corban? His ultimate goal is to row competitively in college and OAR will help him get there. “OAR is a really cool program in a really cool environment. I get a lot more individualized coaching and attention. It is a place that every athlete can be as competitive as they want to be.” To obtain these goals (short-term and long-term) Corban and Brittney have a plan of action, but it’s all Corban in the implementation of these goals. He is one motivated kid, with a clear head and a solid work ethic. “I’ve got a good grasp on my abilities. I set goals that are optimistic and that will push me to the next level.”
Beyond the physical demands of rowing (which there are many!) there is a mental strength that rowers must possess. “A lot of rowing is mental, it all comes down to who can stick it out the longest. In our team of four we are always striving to meet our abilities. We know that it’s going to be over at the finish so our motto is ‘no regrets.’ All of the guys on my team assume that any stuff you’ve got going on before a meet is left behind and we work together, that is the expectation.” With focus and determination like that, we can certainly expect great things from Corban and his teammates this Spring!
Corban’s advice to the rest of us? “Visit OAR! Rowing is a really great sport for anyone to get into.”
