Feb. 25, 2008

By Grace Doepker

As we begin to move from indoors back to the beautiful river there is a lot to be excited about!

There have been a lot of changes and improvements in the past few months and I am excited to see how things start to take shape once we start on the water. We've been working hard and I really believe it will pay off this spring. Here are a few new things:

Team Improvements
I think the most noticeable change any team goes through over the course of winter training is the improvements the novice goes through. And our team is no exception. Our novice team is stronger, faster, smarter and overall improved since the fall. We've gone from having a team that doesn't know much about races and boats to a team that wants to give the varsity a run for their money.

This past week we did 2k tests to help see where we are at. The result- about half the team set new personal records. It isn't just 2k's we're getting better at either, each practice we're pulling longer and farther. With the exception of a few sicknesses and injuries we've been doing some really good pieces. Soon there is going to be a nice new record board to put in the erg room for all these new records. Hopefully, next time we 2k test, which should be soon, we have just as many PRs if not more. I personally missed my PR by just a few seconds (very disappointing) but I really think with some better preparation I'll be able to reach my goal. Another team improvement is how close we have become.

The varsity know the novice, the novice know the varsity, and we are working together to have fun and make boats go fast. We've had a few new girls come since fall and everyone is really getting along well.

On the water
This past Sunday we had great weather and I was really beginning to get anxious about being on the water; however the weather took a turn for the worst, again, and with more snow on the ground I feel winter will never end. Our boats are rigged and ready and I believe we are all getting very anxious. Hopefully by the end of the week things will clear up and we'll be able to get some good on the water practice in.

New Uniforms
One of our big projects this winter was the organizing of new uniforms. We have finally gotten rid of the old unflattering half white/half blue unis and have switched to newer sleeker blue ones. There was a lot of work that had to be done to get them but it's been well worth it. I think it's fair to say everyone is very happy and excited to wear the new ones.

New Coach
Also new this week is the addition of Ashley Quinn to the coaching staff. She rowed as a junior for the Greater Dayton Rowing Association and later for Indiana University. Though I haven't spent a whole lot of time talking to her yet she seems to know a lot about the sport and is really excited to be helping us out.

"Remembering ergs don't float but that its fun pushing the barriers on it."
-Drew Ginn