Spring Break
Weir is not quite an average student athlete
After a football injury ended his career, rower David Weir found the sport of crew; volunteers as a firefighter in Corvallis
Makenzie Marineau
Issue date: 5/27/09 Section: Sports
One of Weir's biggest accomplishments to date has been making the U.S. national rowing team last summer and competing in Germany in the rowing world championships.
As a freshman he started off as a novice rower and competed the next two years at the junior varsity level for Oregon State. Weir wasn't satisfied with rowing at the junior varsity level, "It was a blessing in disguise. I was never satisfied and it pushed me to want more."
At the end of IRA Championships last year Weir and teammate John Wainwright flew to Philadelphia and with only two hours of sleep went to their first practice at Penn-AC (Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association). Weir and Wainwright were told they would be racing for a spot at the world championships.
"The conditions were muggy, hot and unpleasant but you made due with what you had to work with."
In the race to see which boats made the U.S. National team Weir and Wainwright's boat came across the finish line victoriously. At the end of July they flew to Germany to compete in the under-23 rowing world championships representing the U.S.
"Nine hours after arriving we are expected to perform in a foreign country and venue," Weir said of the event, "it was definitely a learning experience that I took a lot out of. I plan on trying for the U.S. National team again this year."
After graduation this year Weir plans on going back to Penn-AC for another shot at the national team and plans on eventually finding a job in firefighting.
"The training for firefighting here in Corvallis has been so spot on I know I can go anywhere and apply for a job."
Weir contributes a lot of his life success to rowing, "I have learned a lot from the sport. It has just had such a big impact on my life and I would love to give something back to rowing by coaching one day."
As his senior year of rowing is winding down the Beavers still must compete in another challenging regatta at the IRA Championships before Weir can again try out for the U.S. Nationals team. This year the men's rowing team at OSU has proven themselves to be a tough competitor and will be heading up against the nation's toughest yet. The No. 15 Beavers have been in the top 20 teams in the nation over the entire 2009 rowing season and raced to a fourth place finish in the Pac-10 Championships to lead them to nationals.
Makenzie Marineau, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
As a freshman he started off as a novice rower and competed the next two years at the junior varsity level for Oregon State. Weir wasn't satisfied with rowing at the junior varsity level, "It was a blessing in disguise. I was never satisfied and it pushed me to want more."
At the end of IRA Championships last year Weir and teammate John Wainwright flew to Philadelphia and with only two hours of sleep went to their first practice at Penn-AC (Penn Athletic Club Rowing Association). Weir and Wainwright were told they would be racing for a spot at the world championships.
"The conditions were muggy, hot and unpleasant but you made due with what you had to work with."
In the race to see which boats made the U.S. National team Weir and Wainwright's boat came across the finish line victoriously. At the end of July they flew to Germany to compete in the under-23 rowing world championships representing the U.S.
"Nine hours after arriving we are expected to perform in a foreign country and venue," Weir said of the event, "it was definitely a learning experience that I took a lot out of. I plan on trying for the U.S. National team again this year."
After graduation this year Weir plans on going back to Penn-AC for another shot at the national team and plans on eventually finding a job in firefighting.
"The training for firefighting here in Corvallis has been so spot on I know I can go anywhere and apply for a job."
Weir contributes a lot of his life success to rowing, "I have learned a lot from the sport. It has just had such a big impact on my life and I would love to give something back to rowing by coaching one day."
As his senior year of rowing is winding down the Beavers still must compete in another challenging regatta at the IRA Championships before Weir can again try out for the U.S. Nationals team. This year the men's rowing team at OSU has proven themselves to be a tough competitor and will be heading up against the nation's toughest yet. The No. 15 Beavers have been in the top 20 teams in the nation over the entire 2009 rowing season and raced to a fourth place finish in the Pac-10 Championships to lead them to nationals.
Makenzie Marineau, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com
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