As the George Mason rowing team prepares to race in one of the biggest regattas this Saturday, the Head of the Charles, GoMason.com has sat down with each member of the Varsity 8 boat and discussed their role, the regatta and the sport of rowing. The second installment of Off the Water features three and four seats, Virginia Ratcliff and Kara Pohlmeier.

Q: What are you most looking forward to competing at the Head of the Charles?
Virginia Ratcliff: The course, it's the only course I've ever rowed that people cheer for you from the starting line to the finish line. It's also our longest fall race, so it's even more exciting to hear yelling for all six thousand meters.

Kara Pohlmeier: The entire experience of the Head of the Charles sounds incredible - from the atmosphere provided by the magnitude of the race to the actual racing to the bonds that you form with your teammates through the experience. I am looking forward to everything because it will all be new and hopefully something I will never forget.

Q: What is your role in the boat?
Virginia Ratcliff: Ports get oars before we go out on the water, so I get Kara and my oars and we push off the dock. In the boat my role is power, heart and accountability. I push, pull, match up, have heart and apply pressure while following the girl in front of me so that the girl behind me can follow me and we move the boat as one. Mostly I just put absolutely everything I have into every stroke until we cross the line.

Kara Pohlmeier: I think that every seat in the boat has the same responsibility, which is to move the boat as fast as possible. Whichever seat I'm in I see as an opportunity to row with as much power as I can. Four seat is the seat I was placed and where I will concentrate on following Meredith's oar and being as aggressive as possible.

Q: What does it mean to be a part of the "engine room" of the boat?
Virginia Ratcliff: It means I'm powerful and my power helps move the boat!

Q: Tell us something about the sport of rowing most people do not know.
Virginia Ratcliff: It's not about the arms!! It's almost entirely legs, but everyone upon meeting me always comments, "you must have incredible upper body strength." No, in fact, it's almost all legs.

Kara Pohlmeier: I think that something most people don't know about rowing is that it is the ultimate team sport. The ultimate goal is to win a race as a boat and the only way to do that is to work together as a team - to support one another and to be rooting for each other because in the end you need each other to win and that can be one of the most rewarding feelings.

Q: How did you get started in rowing?
Virginia Ratcliff: My junior year of high school, I was coming up the stairs from swim practice and the rowing coach stopped me and asked me to stop into winter training sometime. I decided to give it a try and I've been doing it ever since.

Kara Pohlmeier: I started rowing my freshman year in high school because my mom told me to pick something to do and I didn't so she found rowing for me. I am so thankful that she pushed me into it because without rowing I don't know where I would be right now. Rowing has changed my life.

Q: Kara, as a freshman, what does it mean to have the honor to compete at the Charles in your first year?
Kara Pohlmeier: Rowing at the Head of the Charles as a freshman is an honor that I am very aware of and so appreciate for having. I do not take for granted the fact that I have this incredible opportunity in front of me and I am so excited to be starting my collegiate rowing experience on such a high note.

Team Superlatives

Q: Who is the funniest person in the boat?
Virginia Ratcliff: Me! Haha, no Madi. [Madison Beumer]
Kara Pohlmeier: Lindsay Bowen

Q: Who is the best dancer in the boat?
Virginia Ratcliff: Kim, she does her own thing
Kara Pohlmeier: Kim Griffin

Q: Who is the best singer in the boat?
Virginia Ratcliff: Bridget Hally
Kara Pohlmeier: Bridget Hally

Q: Who is the most fashionable in the boat?
Virginia Ratcliff: Lindsay, I don't think I've ever seen her wear jeans, or a matching outfit. It's phenomenal.
Kara Pohlmeier: Madison Beumer

Q: Who has made the biggest improvement in the boat from last year?
Virginia Ratcliff: Meredith Bennett