Team Crawford wins second QC Corporate Rowing Cup

Crawford Co. won the 2010 Quad City Corporate Rowing Cup Saturday along the riverfront in Moline. Team Crawford's win was its' second straight in the annual rowing race.

The team went through a multi week training session, sponsored by the Two Rivers/Moline Y, with a number of other local teams. Crawford had an 8-member boat and topped Sedona Group for a win in the 8-person division. Blew Dentistry, which won the 4-member boat competition, squared off against Crawford for the cup final; Crawford moved past the Blew team and secured a win in the second race as well.

Terry Cahill, a Crawford Sales Manager and renowned rower, brought the program to the company as part of a team-building and wellness exercise.

"It is absolutely amazing to see eight new rowers learn all the tasks required to row as a unit," Cahill said. "Learning to row is both physical and mental, however the real challenge is to work as a team. I can't think of a better way to brine people to our greatest natural asset, the Mississippi River. Corporations are the life blood of our community and to see them compete on the river is tremendous."

Team Crawford is scheduled to make appearances at two more area events this fall: The Taming of the Slough Adventure Race (kayak, mountain bike, and run relay) and the Quad City Marathon 5-person Relay.

FROM DISPATCH/ARGUS

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water and, for the 36 participants in last Saturday's Corporate Row, the culmination of two weeks of strenuous training. Six corporate teams participated in the YMCA Quad Cities Rowing Corporate Row program. There were three eight-person teams and three four-person teams. Crawford Company took first place in the eight-person heat followed by Sedona Group and Per Mar. In the four-person heat, Blew Family Dentistry took first, Two Rivers YMCA came in second with Discover Chiropractic finishing in third place. Crawford then squared off against Blew Dentistry for the cup final; Crawford moved past the Blew team to secure the Corporate Cup. This was the second win in a row for Team Crawford in the annual Corporate Row.

"It is absolutely amazing to see eight new rowers learn all the tasks required to row as one unit. Learning to row is both mental and physical, however the real challenge is to work as a team. I can't think of a better way to bring people to our greatest natural asset, the Mississippi River. Corporations are the life blood of our community and to see them compete on the river is tremendous," said Terry Cahill, Crawford Company.

The Corporate Learn to Row experience provides a unique team-building opportunity. Each individual participant is vital to the direction of the team and the balance of the boat. Ultimately, success is achieved through teamwork and patience. Rowing can be done by virtually anyone regardless of age or fitness level.

Y Quad Cities Rowing is located at the Sylvan Boathouse, 1701 1st Avenue, Moline and is a program of the Two Rivers YMCA. The Two Rivers YMCA is a non-profit organization dedicated to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility Membership and program participation are open to all; scholarship assistance is available.