The Bishop O'Connell rowing team celebrated with a christening ceremony this week as they welcomed to their team two new shells, a Vespoli 8+ and a Vespoli 4+. The rowing team, Crew Booster Board, team parents, and coaches were joined by school faculty and administrators at the Thompson Boat Center on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.
It was a very sentimental ceremony for the O'Connell community, as the royal blue 2005 Vespoli 8+ boat was named in memory of Father Luis Valdivieso and was christened by his long-time friend and fellow faculty member, Kevin Sullivan.
Sullivan shared memories of "Father Louie," who passed away in 2011. Valdivieso was a devoted teacher and mentor at Bishop O'Connell for more than 40 years, as well as an enthusiastic minister to the Spanish-speaking community in the Arlington Diocese.
The royal blue 2013 Vespoli 4+ boat was named the Royal Knight, the new partner to the team's white Vespoli 4+ the White Knight, which was christened by Athletic Director Joe Wootten. "This boat's name encompasses the determination of O'Connell athletics and helps to bring that spirit to the Potomac," said Coach Wootten.
"Last spring O'Connell's rowing team was very successful racing 4+ boats, winning the Boys Junior 4+ and Girls Varsity 4+ at the Washington Metropolitan Interscholastic Rowing Association (WMIRA) Championships," said Crew Head Coach Kim Chavers. "This new 4+ shell will help to raise the crew team's level of skill and competition, ensuring continued success."
Father Phillip Cozzi, the school Chaplain, blessed the team's entire five boat fleet and Head of School Joseph Vorbach added his congratulations and best wishes for a successful season. The parent board hosted a small reception on the shore of the Potomac as the varsity crew took the new shells on the water for the first time.
"The weather, the setting was very Father Louie, pleasant, warm, inviting, joyous," remarked Kevin Sullivan. "I could almost see him smiling down on us through the billowy clouds on a remarkably beautiful afternoon."
The team's first race of the season and the only home regatta this fall will be on the Potomac River on Sunday, Sept. 29 at the Thompson Boat Center in Georgetown. The boys Varsity 8+ will race at 11 a.m., the girls Varsity 8+ at 11:50 a.m., and the boys and girls Varsity 4+'s at 2:20 p.m. The team will have a spirit and hospitality tent with food riverside and welcomes the O'Connell family to join them and cheer on the team.