The Challenge

After four years as a female coxswain at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., which included working with the men's crew, the author went on to Harvard, propelled by a desire to compete with the best. Her freshman year was an ordeal, principally because the coach seemed not to like her or, perhaps, approve of a female coxswain for a male crew. As a sophomore, Mahony was selected over more experienced members to cox the varsity, but Harvard had a bad year on the water; for a time in her junior year, she was demoted to the junior varsity. But she was called back to the varsity and led the crew to three important victories--over Yale, in the Nationals and in the Grand Challenge Cup at England's Henley Royal Regatta. The descriptions of the races are riveting, and it is revealing to discover that a jock is a jock, whether male or female. Photos not seen by PW. (July)