When it came down to choosing captains, Syracuse men’s rowing team elected 12. The votes were counted and no one emerged as a clear-cut choice. The rowers didn’t hire lawyers, demand a recount or even complain about faulty ballots. Instead they agreed the entire senior class should serve as captains.

The Orange is coming off its first undefeated season since 1990 and lost only two seniors from last year. This year’s 12-man senior class looks to lead Syracuse not only in the water, but also as captains out of the water.

‘It really is a unique situation. We usually have one or two captains on the team,’ SU head coach Dave Reischman said. ‘I was approached by the entire senior class who said, ‘It’s either all of us or none of us.’ In 20 years of coaching it’s the first time it’s ever happened that way. And I expect another 20 years before it happens that way again. ‘

The senior captains receive their first opportunity to lead in the water this Saturday at 8 a.m., as the No. 10 Orange races Rutgers for the Ten Eyck Cup in Onondaga Lake.

The reason for all the seniors being elected captains was not because there were no standouts, but the complete opposite – they all excelled.

‘It’s worked out well,’ SU senior Tim Mambort said. ‘I’ve never seen or heard it, but not many teams have the group of guys like we have.’

Each rower brings a different quality to the team that another may not possess. Too many captains might be viewed as oversaturated leadership, although it has translated into a strength. There are 28 rowers on the team, so the younger rowers can almost each have their own captain to go to.

‘Each one of us has different qualities that each can bring to the team,’ senior David Barone said. ‘Whether it’s vocal or leader by example, there are individuals who benefit from different types of leadership. Each guy has someone they can go to.’

The role as captain is almost natural to this special class of seniors. Each year this year’s senior class has been at SU, the team’s record has improved from the previous season. Reischman says it’s the most unique class he has ever coached because no one person stands out. He was also surprised at the improvement during the winter. Usually after three years most rowers reach their potential. However, this year’s seniors seem to still improve.

‘They have been together since their freshman year,’ SU junior Ryan Armstrong said. ‘They all lead by example with their hard work in practice.’

Leadership could be extremely important this season. Syracuse starts the season ranked No. 10 in the nation. Last season the Orange finished No. 8. The top-10 ranking and success from last year has skyrocketed expectations for this year.

‘Expectations are a funny thing,’ Reischman said. ‘And I know the guys have them. Expectations can be your biggest danger. Everybody in our league wants to win the league championship. Having the dream doesn’t separate you from anybody. What separates you is the willingness to do the work, the willingness to make the sacrifices.’

The current senior class has been making sacrifices for the last four years and hopes it will pay off this year.

‘We want to win all our dual races,’ Mambort said. ‘If not it would be a step back. We know each race they will be bringing it all. Every team is going to be bringing their best.’

Published on April 12, 2007 at 12:00 pm