The Hobart College rowing team returned from its spring break training trip to Columbia, S.C. This is the second consecutive year the team has trained in the Palmetto State.

“I think it is the best spot in the country for what we are trying to execute during our training camp,” Head Coach Paul Bugenhagen said. "The team rows on the Broad River. A 3-mile stretch of the river is available to the visiting crews."

The team trained twice a day.

“We do a morning session before breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and an afternoon session from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” Bugenhagen added. “We are quite focused during this time and the athletes are in a heightened sense of drive and performance, as we typically select and name the varsity lineups during camp.”

The athletes did get a respite on Wednesday afternoon when they traveled to Edgefield, S.C., to visit with the Derrick and Wherry families, the parents and grandparents of first-year August Wherry. The families treated the entire team to a traditional Southern barbeque while the athletes took the opportunity to relax, unwind, and enjoy some Southern hospitality.

The Statesmen returned to work on Thursday morning and completed their training camp on Friday afternoon.

“Examining the efforts put forward this week and focus we have leaving camp, I am optimistic about the season and excited to begin the competitive portion of our season,” Bugenhagen concluded.

The Statesmen begin their spring season on Saturday, March 30 when they travel to Ithaca, N.Y., to race Ithaca College for the Statesmen Trophy. Hobart has won the trophy in two of the past three years.