During a run with coxswain Chase Phillips shouting out encouragement and timing the crew's speed, Woodbridge's Varsity 8 takes to the river. van View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Listen to the smallest guy on the boat

Teen-ager with spina bifida pursues his dreams in sports and music.

By EILEEN MEADE

Date published: 6/9/2001

BARKING OUT commands like
a military drill sergeant, coxswain Chase Phillips guided the crew of the sleek yellow racing shell across the finish line at Sandy Run on the Occoquan River.

His crew, Woodbridge High School's Men's Varsity 8, placed third in the first heat of the regatta. Chase felt they had a good shot at winning the finals. It was the weather that won, however. A sudden storm blew in; the regatta was canceled.

Back at Oxford House, the boathouse the Woodbridge crew shares, Chase eased himself out of the shell. He adjusted his crutches, hoisted himself up and started directing operations to store the boat.

Chase is 16, the only son of Charles and Susan Phillips of Lake Ridge. He was born with spina bifida, which means his spine never fully developed.

His first major surgery occurred a few hours after he was born. There have been seven more operations since then. One left him in casts and a wheelchair for nearly a year.

But he'd much rather tell you about his passions--crew racing and music.

Five varsity rowers on his boat, the Claire Moulen, will graduate this month. So the first priority of coxswain Chase and the three remaining rowers is to recruit "horsepower" before the fall season starts.

"We're looking for guys about 6 feet 2 inches tall, 190 pounds, muscular, with strong legs and arms, exceptional mental attitude, motivation and determination to win," Chase said.

Candidates must learn to row and get used to regular weight-lifting sessions.

Chase's dad, Charles Phillips, compared the team to that of a B-17 crew, where 10 people depend on each another for survival.

Chase knows from going to spring nationals that teams with taller rowers have more momentum and win more races.

At 5 feet 1 inch tall and 101 pounds, Chase never expected to be recruited for crew. Yet he's ideally suited for the position of coxswain. He asked the coaches for a chance to try out as a freshman, and made it.

Coxswains need to be light and know how to steer the sweep-oared boats. It's up to them to motivate the rowers to victory.

His first season, Chase was coxswain on the Men's Mid-weight 8 team. He moved up to varsity last year.

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Date published: 6/9/2001