About Xavier Prep Crew: Our History

Two Xavier alumnae moms, Linda West and Barbara Gallagher, saw the potential to bring the predominately east coast sport of rowing to the Arizona desert shortly after the completion of the construction of the Tempe Town Lake. At that time Barbara started taking rowing lessons herself and approached Sister Lynn Winsor, Vice Principal and Athletic Director at Xavier College Preparatory, concerning starting a Rowing Club at Xavier.

Sister Lynn was enthusiastic and announcements were made at the school regarding the first meeting of the Rowing Club in the fall of 2000. The room was filled with over 140 girls who wanted to pioneer this new sport. Tryouts were held and 40 girls started with the Tempe Parks and Recreation Department rowing sessions. After the first year, the girls wanted to race. The Rio Salado Rowing Club was approached and the Xavier girls formed the core of the first Rio Salado Junior Rowing team. One season on the water and enthusiasm was so high that a dedicated group of parents formed Xavier Prep Crew. Now the goal was to find a coach and raise the necessary funds to purchase equipment.

An article regarding the emerging team, the first and only high school team in Arizona, caught the attention of John Ciani. John had been a four-year rower with the University of San Diego, and upon graduation, was hired by the University to coach the freshman women's team. Within a year, he was the Women's Head Coach, a position he held for five years before returning to his home in Phoenix. In April of 2002, John read the article in the Arizona Republic stating that a search for a coach was being conducted and contacted Xavier. John joined the team of parents and athletes who were striving to raise the funds, and take on all the myriad of details that were required to make the team a reality.

In the fall of 2002, 38 girls signed up with interest in the team. Since boats were not yet purchased, the girls were farmed out to various programs to get experience while parents worked to get the funds for boats. By Thanksgiving, the deposit was sent off to Vespoli to purchase one Vespoli DM 8 and two Vespoli DM 4s. A combination of loans and donations were made to the team to purchase the coaching launch, ergs and shells. Deliveries were made by the first week in February 2003 and the team was born.

Xavier Prep Crew ranked well in the spring 2004 regional trials. Our ranking was 16 out of 30, which made Xavier the top rowing club in Arizona by points for that year. Not bad after only our second year of competition!

Fall 2004 brought 39 novices, and a new novice coach: Kelly Vanek. Before joining Xavier Crew, Kelly rowed for four years at the University of San Diego, distinguishing herself as a scholar-athlete and a team leader. She brought her winning ways to Xavier, and in addition has coached the Arizona State Women's Rowing Team. Together, Coaches Ciani and Vanek built a team that won the 2005 Arizona State Junior Rowing Championship.

Since 2005 the program has continued to grow, adding more boats and more athletes. The club's race performances have continued to improve as well: runner up in the 2006 Arizona State Rowing Championships, State Champions in 2007 and 2008, and a first ever gold medal for the Freshman Eight at the Southwest Junior Regional Championships in 2008. In 2008, Coach Ciani became the Novice Coach, and Coach Vanek the Varsity Coach. In addition, Xavier Prep Crew alumna Natalie Russell was hired as an assistant Novice Coach. With enthusiasm high, erg scores dropping, and continued support from Xavier College Prep, the future for Xavier Prep Crew looks great!