The theme of the 2000-2001 crew program will definitely be one of overcoming rough waters. With the nucleus of the team still intact and with a strong sophomore class, the women's varsity is likely to rebound from last year's shaky 3-7 performance. The men's team, however, having lost half of its boat to graduation and juniors studying abroad, will need rowers to step up to match last season's success.
The women's team is looking forward to a season of improvement, and in hopes to rebound from the loss of ten graduating seniors, 19 sophomores will move up this year to fill the void.
"We had a good novice squad last year, there is a lot of room for improvement," coach Gary Caldwell said. "[We have] a very youthful squad."
Thirty-one women comprise the varsity squad, including four coxswains. The team will be racing three boats with eight rowers each, including one light weight boat.
The women's team prides itself on its cohesiveness. "Crew is not about individual efforts," Caldwell said. "It's the ultimate team sport.
Another key to this year's success will be the squad's depth. There are 15 novices from last year that have all ascended to the varsity level. These sophomores will look to continue their winning ways, as both novice eight boats last year boasted winning records.
The first few weeks of practice have excited the team about the fast start that they have had this year. "We are optimistic," said Sarah Lecain, a senior and varsity captain. "We started off very strong and dove right into workouts."
Still, the team is reluctant to make any predictions. "Asking me to make a prediction now is like asking the baseball coach [now] to make a prediction for the spring," Caldwell said. "The real racing season isn't till the spring."
The largest race this fall will be the Head of the Charles Regatta, which will be held on the Charles River Oct. 21-22. It features some of the top collegiate rowers from around the world. This five kilometer race is more typical of fall races, which tend to be longer than the two kilometer sprints of the spring. Last year the varsity women finished 13th in the event.
The men's team, on the other hand, will be fighting an uphill battle to fill the gaps left by last year's graduating seniors and this year's juniors studying abroad. The team has lost four of its eight varsity rowers from last year.
"We are starting from a blank slate," senior coxswain Jeff Lindy said.
The chemistry of this year's team can at best be described as unstable. Despite these losses, Lindy remains hopeful. "If last year's JV rowers step up to fill the shoes that were left them, then we can go fast and win races," he said.
The men's team will be putting out one varsity eight and possibly an additional boat of four. The team's success is largely dependant upon the performance of the sophomores, including Nate Rolander and Mike Friedburg, who should provide some added strength to the team.
The squad may also be aided by the strength of a few strong recruited freshmen. "There are a couple of freshmen who are strong enough to be on varsity," senior Grady Knight said. "The question is whether the varsity coach will get around to incorporating them into the first boat."
Another uncertainty for the men's program is the addition of a new coach, Ben Foster. Foster, the novice coach last year, spent four years rowing at Hobart College and hopes to help jump start the team.
The first big challenge of the season will come on Oct. 1 at the Textile Regatta in Lowell, Mass. This race will be an early test for a team with an uncertain future. Still, it will be difficult for this year's team to overcome its losses. "This season is more about training," Knight said.
