May Madness Spotlight: Capital Crew

The 2024 Youth Series kicks off this weekend with the 2024 Southwest Youth Championships, Central Youth Championships, and Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association City Championships. Each week, we'll highlight crews on their road to the 2024 USRowing Youth National Championships.

This week, we talked to Megan Sands of Capital Crew, the former team of Olympian Michelle Sechser.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your club.
Hi! I am Megan Sands from Auburn, Calif. I am a junior at St Francis Catholic High School in Sacramento and row with Capital Crew in Gold River, Calif. Yes, those are all in different cities across the greater Sacramento region, which means much of my day is spent in the car putting in over 100 miles of commuting. As the youngest sibling with three older brothers, I am fiercely loyal, always optimistic, and competitive. I believe in the meaning of B.R.A.V.E. - Building Respect and Values for Everyone and feel my club does too. Capital Crew is unlike most high school sports teams as we are all from different schools, but we overcome that separation when we walk into our boathouse each day. Our small, but mighty club has a rich history of greatness, and our facility at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center on Lake Natoma is one of the top crew courses in the U.S.

How did you get started in rowing?
My family loves the outdoors. My dad and brothers always fish in the Sierras, and my mom grew up in Michigan sailing or out on the lake almost every day. I have said since I was little that the water is my second home, and I wanted to find a way tp incorporate that love with a sport. Just before my freshman year of high school, we stopped by the aquatic center to check out opportunities and saw the amazing Capital Crew boathouse and racks of shells. I did an introductory trial and immediately knew I found my passion. I have never looked back!

What do you love most about rowing?
I love the fierce need for teamwork in rowing and being surrounded by such strong (mentally and physically) women. It is exciting to go to practice every day to push and train with girls who are like my sisters. Our bond is amazing as we work together to achieve our goals, and the beauty of the water and nature that is our course is breathtaking.

What are your favorite 2k songs?
Blood // Water by Grandson pumps me up and gets me going. Welcome to My House by Flo Rider helps lift me back up when I'm tired because it makes me proud of my home, both the boathouse and my family home, and helps me push through.

What are your favorite traditions or rituals that are unique to your team?
It is actually one we do out of the boat. Every spring, we empty out the boathouse and hold a 'Boathouse Formal' just like a school holds a homecoming. It brings all of us together, the boys and girls teams, and the night is filled with fun, laughter, and silliness as we dance and hang out.

How do you welcome and embrace new members to your team?
With a big smile and warm welcome! I know firsthand what it is like to walk into somewhere where you know no one - that was me starting high school as I was the only student from my middle school to attend St. Francis High, over an hour from home. So it is important to me to be welcoming and show a new teammate around. Even simple things like helping them know where to put their gear or standing next to them to guide them through warm-up the first few weeks can make a huge difference in how they feel.
 
How has your preparation been leading up to the 2024 USRowing Southwest Youth Championships?
Preparation has been hard because my boats want to take things to the next level. We are all committed six days a week to row, erg, and lift. Sometimes, it can be mentally hard, too, but when we are in the boat and see we are improving and can go fast, the hard days all wash away, and we realize everything is worth it.

What are the club/team goals for the 2024 regatta season?
Of course, we want to say Nationals, but I feel we need to take our racing one day at a time. So when we have our boat talks, I would say our goals are:
1. Be more competitive at all levels, whether you are the varsity eight or the second varsity eight. 
2. Be consistently improving time, ticking off those seconds
3. Always be ONE as a team because if we do this, the other two goals WILL happen!

What words of encouragement do you have for Capital Crew alum Michelle Sechser, who will be racing at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer?
Michelle, you CAN DO THIS! You have trained for this your whole life, and you are ready. Think back to your young rowing self in the Capital erg loft and do it for her. Believe in yourself and push because Capital is right here pushing with you and cheering you on no matter what!