Jim Slonoff

These eight rowers and one coxswain, all Hinsdale Central students, prepare to set out for their Chicago Rowing Foundation practice runs Monday afternoon on the DesPlaines River in Burr Ridge while Central's Christian Thompson and Alex Fuchs work on their two-man boating skills. Coach Emily Caflisch said the youth have committed themselves to the program, which draws from several high schools. "You get out of it what you put into it," she said. (Jim Slonoff photos)