Joe Casper is
Mr.Water Works

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Joe Casper doesn’t mind getting up at 6 a.m. five days a week to train on the Schuylkill River. He doesn’t mind sacrificing his summer to practice rowing. And he doesn’t mind investing his time, all year long, in an effort to improve his skills on the water.
Now he’s reaping the benefits.
The Northeast Philadelphia resident is spending his summer training alongside his Crescent Boat Club colleagues on Boathouse Row, and he recently qualified to compete in the 126th Royal Canadian Henley Regatta tournament, being held this week in St. Catharines, Canada.
"It’s hard getting up that early every day, and sometimes it gets really overwhelming, but it’s well worth it now," said Casper, who left for Canada on Monday. "The rewards are better. It’s definitely worth it in the end."
The 17-year-old is competing in the junior double and junior quad races during his Canadian trip. Hundreds of boats will gather at the prestigious event, which attracts some of the most skillful teams from throughout the world.
"This is my first year going, so I’m really excited about it," said Casper. "It’s a really important race. I’m kind of nervous, because whenever we’re on the Schuylkill, it’s the same surroundings. This is going to be completely different."
Casper, who is entering his senior year at Roman Catholic High School, qualified for the event after an exceptionally successful spring season with the Cahillites.
The All-Catholic rower helped Roman Catholic capture the silver medal in the senior quad event at this year’s Stotesbury Cup Regatta, a competition that attracts more than 5,000 athletes from 177 schools to the Schuylkill River.
His success didn’t stop there. This summer, Casper helped his Crescent Boathouse squad win a silver medal in the junior A-Team quad event during the Philadelphia Youth Regatta, held July 26 on the Schuylkill River.
As a result, he was one of 18 competitors chosen to represent his summer squad in Canada. He will be rowing alongside some familiar faces — teaming up with fellow Cahillites Tyler Zachweija, Ricky Chui and Scott Willis.
"It’s the same coach as Roman," explained Casper, referring to coach Roger Ross, who heads both the Cahillites and the Crescent Boat Club squad. "He first told me about this (Crescent Boat Club) and said it was a good way to keep in shape. All of this, it’s all building up for the season."
Although the Roman Catholic crew team’s season runs throughout the spring months, for competitive athletes like Casper, it’s a full-time job.
"In grade school, I played baseball and basketball, but once you row in high school, it’s an all-year-round thing," he said. "There’s not a lot of time for other sports. The majority of my time, I put into this."
Always a versatile athlete, Casper decided to climb aboard the rowing team at Roman Catholic during his sophomore year. At the time, he was still getting acclimated to his surroundings at the North Broad Street school and decided to try something new.
"My freshman year, I didn’t know anything about rowing," said Casper with a laugh. "I tried out for the baseball team and got cut. I wanted to try something else, something new, so I just went for it to see if I liked it."
And the rest is water under the bridge.
"I stuck with it and became friends with all the kids and really loved it," he said. "I guess I just progressed by going to practice every day and working every day.
"Winning these races is my motivation," he continued. "Winning is the best. Sometimes you get second and third place, and you’re happy because you got something. But it’s a whole lot better to get the gold. That’s what you’re out there working for."
Casper has certainly come a long way since first walking through the doors of Roman Catholic High School. The once-quiet and shy freshman is now stepping up as a leader, not only with the varsity crew team but also with the school’s music program, where he has been playing the saxophone for three years.
"It’s really exciting being a senior," he said. "You know everybody, you know your surroundings, you know teachers better. I made a lot of good friends."
This school year, in addition to his exciting senior status in the hallways, Casper will be heading onto the roads, having earned his driver’s license last week.
"Now I’m hoping I can ease off of SEPTA and save some time," he said.
For the past three years, Casper has endured a 45-minute commute on public transportation from his Northeast Philadelphia home to his high school.
This year, he’s looking forward to an easier ride.
"I had a little trouble getting down there, taking the El and everything, but I just got my license so hopefully I can drive to school," said Casper, who earned his license July 30.
His new accomplishment may also help with his commute to work. For the past two years, Casper also has been a lifeguard at the Aquatic Club on Grant Avenue.
"I like being a lifeguard," he said. "It’s a big indoor pool and it’s a pretty easy job. I like it."
Between his responsibilities with school, work, athletics and music, Casper has plenty to keep him occupied. But he has really come to enjoy life on the water.
"I could see myself rowing for a long time," he said. "Hopefully, if I keep working and keep practicing, I can do this in college. I love rowing. That’s what I put my most time into. That’s the main priority." ••