Using Routines to Prepare for Competition

Anxiety is part of competition.  And as a matter of fact, anxiety can help improve performance in some contexts.  But when we line up to race – very often – anxiety can be a limiting factor.  But developing a proper pre-race routine can help athletes manage their anxiety and perform to the best of their abilities.

Speaker: Manny Valentin

Manny Valentin was named Skidmore College head men's and women's crew coach in May, 2021. Valentin was previously the Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA) head varsity boys coach and an assistant coach with the Advanced Rowing Initiative of the Northeast (ARION).  Valentin has been with the SRA at various levels since 2017. Prior to that, he was a head coach and program director for the Sagamore Rowing Association in Oyster Bay, N.Y.  A standout collegiate rower at Ithaca College, Valentin was co-valuable oarsmen for the 2006-2007. He stayed at Ithaca as a graduate assistant and then assistant coach, while pursuing an advanced degree in sports psychology.  Valentin's athletes have had success on the national and international levels, with a men's lightweight quad winning the 2018 USRowing trials and then competing in the 2018 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.   Following his second season at the helm of the Skidmore College rowing program, Valentin was named the Regional Coach of the Year by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA).  Valentin was one of 13 coaches across all three divisions, including just one of just four coaches in Division III, to be recognized with the award. He represented the New York region under the Division III.