Harvard will look to improve upon its IRA National Championship finish last year, in which the first varsity team placed second and the team placed fourth overall.

“[The] University of Washington has won every single year for about the last seven years, and we have been finishing behind them each of those years, so there is very much a feeling that we want to beat them,” Hogan said. “It seems like they are going to be a little weaker this year and we’re getting stronger…so this is our opportunity to [beat Washington].”

But for a team that is accustomed to Parker’s non-confrontational approach, Butt’s leadership style has taken some getting used to.

“It’s a complete 180 from Harry’s coaching style, but in a good way,” Hogan said. “Charley is more technical, hands-on, and all about small boats, so there is a constant stream of coaching and feedback that we didn’t have when Harry coached.”

While transitioning from one style of rowing to another, Butt noted that he still places an emphasis on the basics of rowing, and he hopes that foundation will allow the team to remain atop the crew standings throughout the season.

“We have spent a lot of time on connecting to the water and how to accelerate the boat properly—two things that are easily said but much harder to do in practice,” Butt said. “I feel this is a very strong team and we have a real chance of being a strong group. However, the work from one year has to be put out the next year, otherwise [success] doesn’t happen.”