College Raft Nearly Clinches Tea Party Race
by Paul O'Hearn '97
A group from Washington College took to the high seas of the mighty Chester River to participate in the annual Chestertown Tea Party Raft Race in May. The raft was painstakingly and lovingly fashioned over a matter of hours out of plywood, nylon rope and the finest blue plastic barrels available in all the Upper Shore. Metal piping with plywood screwed to the end served as oars. No expense was spared.
The group consisted of six rowers: Charlie Athey '01, Carlton Hughes '02, assistant tennis coach Salim Chraibi, assistant swimming coach Scott Steinmuller '96, Jason Miller, and Paul O'Hearn '97. Jenny An '96 called the strokes and Molly Herr '02 subbed into the rowing lineup when someone needed a rest.
The doughty vessel and her fearless crew claimed third place out of 12 rafts, much to the delight of hundreds who had come to watch the spectacle. While other craft (dare I say boats?) were faster, and others still more creatively decorated, this group's ground-breaking floating-square-barge design proved up to the task. It won acclaim for finishing in the top three while constantly on the verge of sinking into the murky depths of the Chester, which, it should be noted, had already swallowed a pair of rafts.
A great time was had by all and (top-secret) plans are already in the works for a new raft next year.
|
