Xavier College Preparatory has the state’s only girls high school team in crew, one of the more difficult sports to find an opportunity to play.

The only coach the Gators have had in the program’s eight years is John Ciani. He has grown accustomed to the difficulties of putting together a team to row a boat in the desert.

“This sport is so unknown,” Ciani said. “Girls are afraid, and this sport is also expensive.”

His team members understand that, too.

“Each of our boats is worth a large sum of money,” said Elizabeth Govig of Arcadia. “And we travel to California approximately five times a year.”

There are only three high school teams in the Gators’ region, which includes California and Arizona. There are 30 club teams in the region.

The team practices at Tempe Town Lake, the perfect setting for the sport. However, age limitations (you must be 13 to practice at the lake) and a lack of other venues means Ciani begins each season with an inexperienced crew. Many eighth-graders, Ciani said, have taken a learn-to-row class to prepare for their start in the sport.

Also, many girls coming to Xavier have some knowledge of other sports before hearing about crew. Marie Gauer, a senior, wanted to play lacrosse until she took a learn-to-row class and loved it.

“Xavier crew is so much fun,” Gauer said. “It’s like a second family.”

The sport is both physically and mentally challenging, which appeals to senior Hannah Whitney.

“It’s great to set goals and know you can accomplish them,” she said.

Team members include Beth Andrews, Lauren Bigler, Alice Chagolla, Kaitlyn Dowding, Katlyn Ewens, Shannon Garvey, Marie Gauer, Malika Gill and Savannah Godber.

Also Kaitlyn Goss, Elizabeth Govig, Ellycia Halden, Andrea Hann, Dana Helfenbein, Anna Keig, Caroline Keig, Ava Koziak, Megan May, Olivia Moser, Ashlynn Quigley, Jessica Romine, Sara Romine, Sheridan Rosner, Emily Schrader, Carson Scott, Mariah Sullivan, Kelsey Teske, Jenna Waters and Hannah Whitney.

Also Ali Castillo, Tyler Dresh, Shannon Elford, Alex Govig, Arlen Guevara, Kit Kolesar, Veronica Lucca and Alicia Slick.

Xavier crew alumni include third-year assistant coach Natalie Russell. She is a junior at Arizona State and graduated from Xavier in 2007 with Allyn Delozier, currently a coxswain at University of San Diego. Both were four-year rowers at Xavier. Other alumni include Cassie Gannon, also at USD, and Allison Gonzales, a four-year crew member at Arizona State.

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