Briggs steers boats to smoother waters for UB crew

Sheralyn Briggs grew up in a town where rowing was a big time sport. When she found out she was too small to row she had to find a different way to get on the boat.

Her solution? Become a coxswain.

Briggs rowed at the club level when she was younger but when the time came for her to move up to the high school level they told her she was just too small.

As a 90-pound high school freshman, Briggs stepped into the role of coxswain at West Park in her hometown of St. Catherines, Ontario. Being that light, her team was required to row with sandbags in the boat to make the minimum weight requirement for the boat.

"Rowing is a really big sport in my hometown, but they wouldn't let me row because I was too small," Briggs said. "Crew was a big part of the town and in my family, so I really wanted to be a part of it. Being a coxswain let me do that."

A coxswain sits at the back of the boat and gives instruction while steering in the boat that holds four or more people. In the fall, the UB crew team races in what are called head races. Head races are usually three miles long as opposed to sprint distance of two kilometers. Also unlike sprint races, there are turns that need to be navigated. This is where a coxswain comes in.

"I like head racing because it is more coxswain-oriented," Briggs said. "The boat is really in my hands and relies on me to not only steer but chart the best route through the course and on avoiding other boats when it comes to passing. The winning boat at the last race we were at actually hit us and should have been disqualified. But I guess that's head racing for you."

Traditionally coxswains have been very loud and animated, but not Briggs. She is more like a coach in the boat. She is calming and methodical yet still encouraging.

"I work with the rowers on their technique during the race, keep them in rhythm with each other," Briggs said. "My style is definitely more focused on motivation and not just yelling, giving the rowers the information they need during a race."

Up next for the UB rowers is the biggest head race in the world, the Head of the Charles in Boston, Mass.

Every year, the river that winds through the old city of Boston is inundated with crew teams from around the world. This race features world-class athletes from all corners of the globe and is recognized as one of the premier rowing events held in any given year.

The Bulls placed fourth last year in the collegiate eight category. This year will be a much steeper challenge. The team was bumped up to a much more competitive race, and are scheduled to compete in the championship eight.

"This year we will be competing against the U.S. national team and other crews of that caliber," Briggs said. "I am really looking forward to seeing how we stack up against teams that have raced in the Olympics. We have a bunch of new recruits who are meshing really well. This is the strongest team that we've ever had. I am really looking forward to us growing as a team and reaching our full potential. We have a chance to do some really special things here and build this program up."

The Bulls have already begun the season with a strong start and hope to ride that momentum into one of the biggest races in the world this weekend. With the way that Briggs has handled the eight this year, it sure seems like they have a chance to do what no UB team has ever done at a race so big.

If Briggs can find some smooth water, maybe they can take home a medal from Boston two years in a row.