Steering With Confidence

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior Christian Mund of the No. 14 Syracuse University men's rowing team stands with the rest of the members of the varsity eight crew and sticks out quite easily. Mund, who stands 5 feet 5 inches tall, is the coxswain of the top Orange boat, steering the boat and coordinating the power and rhythm of the rowers. One of his unspoken tasks as the coxswain is instilling confidence, which he has proven to excel at.

"I have three main jobs on the water," commented Mund. "First, I keep them safe. There is a lot of debris and stuff in the water that could hurt them. Then I steer them in a straight line. Everybody knows the quickest point is a straight line, the straightest I can steer is the best for all of us involved. Third, letting them know where we are to go as fast as possible."

Growing up, Mund disliked the sport of rowing. The Groveland, Mass. native did not enjoy the cold and early mornings required for training. He gave it a shot his sophomore year of high school and it eventually grew on him to the point where he would continue his career at Syracuse.

"I loved the athletic feel at Syracuse," added Mund. "My two cousins and uncle went here, as well. I always had Syracuse on my mind and in the family."

In his first three seasons as a member of the Orange, Mund coxed the second freshman boat and the third varsity eight. Coming into this season, Syracuse's top two coxswains had graduated and it was his opportunity to lead to the top crew. Mund stepped into his new role with confidence.

"Confidence comes with the job," stated Mund. "You have to give the guys the confidence to keep the pressure on and keep going. It is a mentality thing for them and me, getting on the water and knowing we are going to have a good day. Words carry a lot. If I say the right thing at the right time and say it with some confidence, it goes a long way."

Mund showed what he could would do with the top crew in the first race of the fall season. The team opened the season with a first-place showing at the Head of the Genesee, defeating Hobart by more than 10 seconds.

Now entering the team's second race of the spring season and its sixth total competition of the 2014-15 campaign, Mund has been the coxswain of the varsity eight crew every race this year. When he enters the boat with his teammates, it is all business as he looks to guide them to the finish.

"It's been a good four years," reflected Mund. "Freshman year, our varsity eight finished fifth in the country. We are coming at this season with confidence. All of the seniors want to go out on a good note."

Mund and the Orange get back on the water on Saturday morning when they race Cornell and Navy for the Goes Trophy. Syracuse is looking to claim its first Goes Trophy since the 2011 season against the Big Red and Midshipmen.

Syracuse University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Christian Mund

Related Videos