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Rockin' the boat
Ever since Sam Stitt and Giuseppe Lanzone began rowing at McLean High School 10 years ago, it was obvious that they were destined for great things. The problem was getting them into the boat in the first place.Stitt, 26, was a self-described “skinny, awkward kid” who found little success on the basketball court as a freshman and was cut his sophomore year. He joined the swim team, and his teammates convinced him to row with them in the spring.
Lanzone, 25, moved to McLean from Peru in 1997 and was on his way to football practice as a junior when coach Jim Mitchell recruited him to the crew team.
“[Sam and Giuseppe] started rowing together. They believed in each other,” Mitchell recalled. “That's what rowing is about. They were very disciplined. They wanted to be Olympians.”
Stitt and Lanzone each achieved that goal this year and are currently in Beijing as members of the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team.
“It's a pretty funny feeling,” said Stitt, who will compete in the Men's Quadruple Sculls event. “It hasn't really sunk in yet. We've both gone to international races before, but the Olympics isn't comparable in any way.”
“It's the biggest thing for the sport of rowing,” added Lanzone, who will compete in the Men's Four. “The Olympics is pretty much the Super Bowl for us or the World Series.”
Stitt and Lanzone rowed in the same boat for one year at McLean before the elder Stitt graduated and enrolled at Rutgers University. A year later, Lanzone would head to the University of Washington, but Mitchell made sure that both athletes returned home during the summer to row together. The pair enjoyed success in regattas around the country and in Canada before turning their attention to the national team.
Stitt earned a spot on the U.S. team in 2005, while Lanzone joined the following year. Each has rowed for the national team at multiple World Championships, but both are making their first trip to the Olympics.
“Giuseppe's a really good guy,” said Stitt, who is the son of the late Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge, David Stitt. “He got his shot and ran with it. He's doing really well. It's been nice having him around.”
Added Lanzone, “We've gone through a lot. Our families are close. It will be nice to see a familiar face overseas.”
Mitchell coached at McLean for just four years, but he still has a hand in the duo's development even today. He will be in Beijing to cheer for his first two Olympians.
"We always thought they would get to this level," Mitchell said. "My only regret is that they're not rowing together at the Olympics. They were a really strong team."
Both Stitt and Lanzone admit they are not sure what to expect at their first Olympic Games, but they both have similar goals.
"We would definitely like to medal," Lanzone said. "We're training to not leave any stone unturned. We're going to try our best."
Added Stitt, "Aim high. I'm trying to win it. I'm going to go out guns blazing."
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