Summary

By October 1933, the original 175 boys trying out for spots on the University of Washington’s rowing team had been whittled down to 80. With the weather turning cold, training sessions became a brutal struggle against nature, as the boys were whipped with freezing rain and rapidly dropping temperatures. Despite the constant obstacles, Joe never lost focus of his goal, and excelled in every practice. Although the tryout experience was bonding for the boys, Joe still found himself struggling to make friends with anyone at the boathouse. His closest companion was Roger Morris, a fellow engineering student from a working class background, but even that relationship was awkward. Many of the boys still teased Joe for his impoverished upbringing and ragged clothes. Although it hurt his feelings, Joe was used to this type of ridicule and used it to...