Kate Beinkampen ’19:
The Boys’ Athlete of the Month for March is Harry Pusey ‘19. “Positive. Hardworking. Focused,” are attributes that Mrs. Molly Konopka, Upper School Crew Coach, uses to characterize Pusey. She explains that he is a “perpetually positive and driven” contributor to the crew team.
Pusey was introduced to crew at a young age. His two older brothers rowed and he always tagged along to their races. In ninth grade, he decided to pick up the sport himself and has become a valuable asset to the team.
During the 2017 season, Pusey was the only tenth grader on the Varsity eight boat, comprised almost entirely of seniors. This group won the City Championships and was the only boat from Philadelphia to advance to the finals of the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. He then traveled to England to compete in the Henley Royal Regatta in July.
Because the other crew members in Pusey’s boat had more experience, he constantly worked to match the level of the seniors. Konopka remarks that this gave Pusey an entirely new perspective of the level of athleticism and training that is required, but also how much can be accomplished.
The crew training regimen is rigorous. The winter season mostly consists of strength training and indoor erging. Pusey says that practice from November to February is more difficult because, “We are just on machines, looking at numbers, so it is not very motivating, but the spring is when you can actually see that motivation come to fruition.”
This winter, Pusey joined the swim team while training for the upcoming crew season, meaning he would typically swim in the morning and row in the afternoon or do the two back to back. “There are few kids at this school who would put in that kind of effort, and he is in that group,” says Konopka.
Because each boat functions as a unit, Pusey’s drive comes from the other members of his team. “If one person messes up, everyone can feel the effects, so if I am not working to my full potential, the whole boat is offset,” Pusey explains.
Konkpoka adds that Pusey is one of the strongest members of his boat and works to improve his technique. “He’s very measured, and yet he has an inner drive that allows him to lead his boat to achieve so they improve every day. They always walk out of the boathouse stronger than they walked in.”
Pusey’s teammates attest to his talent in the boat. “When Harry is rowing, you can tell that he has a lot of experience with crew. His technique is great and he is someone to look up to on the water,” comments Nick Peyton ‘19.
Pusey, now a junior, serves as captain of the crew team this season alongside Schuyler Kresge ‘18. This position has prompted Pusey to adopt new leadership techniques. “I try to push everyone else and get a good workout for myself too,” says Pusey. Konopka adds, “he works really hard but he does it in such a way that he brings other people with him and makes goals reachable.”
Pusey has high hopes for the team this year, but acknowledges that the upcoming season will be challenging. “We have such a young pool of talent that this year is about building that foundation.” Konopka says, “This will be a great season for Harry. He doesn’t make excuses, he just goes.”