It?s 6:07 in the freakin? morning?thousands of Sac State students are nestled in their warm unmade beds, and I?m out here in a tippy banana boat freezing my tail off.

The view is awesome. The full moon is still visible but fading as the sun rises. The air is fresh with its blanket smell of seagulls and lake water. The cool wind blows strong enough to make me hear rustling trees on the outskirts of Lake Natoma, but the breeze isn?t sufficient enough to rock the boat. It?s a good thing, considering that this long, skinny and unstable looking boat I’m crouching in makes me feel as if I?m literally sitting on water.Stroke, stroke, stroke.

That scenario was my daily venue six semesters ago. Thanks to the encouragement of Cassie Banks, my first roommate in the dorms, I decided to join the Sac State rowing team.

“I love rowing. It?s an addiction. You?ll love it too, Georgette. Besides, they like women who are big,” Cassie said.

“I’m not big,” I said.”Yes you are, silly,” she giggled. “You?re like 600 feet tall.”

“Oh, that kind of big,” I said, glancing sideways into a full-length mirror. “Alright Cas?. I?ll go for it.”

My roommate was right. Rowing became an addiction. It was all I talked about. People who weren?t rowers thought I was crazy to get up at 5 a.m. to go work out at a level that forced in-shape people to be out of breath. They couldn?t understand the appeal of a sport that could motivate people to get up in the pre-dawn hours so they could sweat up a storm by rowing or working out?especially people like me who rarely expressed any interest in athletics.

Anyone who wants to join can, even if they didn?t play the sport in high school. In fact, only two members out of the nine on this year?s varsity women?s rowing team, were involved with this sport before college. Considering that they just won a gold medal in the Western Collegiate Rowing Association championships, it’s an incredible accomplishment. They worked hard, sacrificed nightlife, and grunted to glory.

Way to go girls…I mean women! Roar!

Hearing about the Hornets? recent win made me feel nostalgic. After a semester, I left the sport to focus on other priorities that demanded my time. But, I?m glad I experienced being a part of something that is so respected on campus.

The Sac State rowing program is currently held with high esteem through Associated Students, Inc., the Aquatic Center, and reputation. Head coach Bill Zack claims to have no complaints when it comes to the support this sport generates.

“The fans are mainly friends and relatives of the team members. But we also have the men?s volleyball team that comes to our regattas and in turn we go support them too. I have no complaints when it comes to the support we have from fans, ASI and especially the Aquatic Center,” Zack said.

That?s great to hear. Well even though there?s no more early morning grunting and groaning for me, it?s nice to see that hard work has been paid off.

So team members- keep it up. You?re very much valued.

Stroke, stroke, stroke!

Georgette Todd is a Journalism major. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].