The women's crew team proved on Sunday that it will not let the absence of last year's seniors impede its success this season.
Featuring competitors from across New England - including NESCAC rivals and Div. I powerhouses - the Textile River Regatta provided a demanding initial test for the Jumbo rowers. With 13 seniors departed from last season, the rowers drew mixed results from Sunday's challenge on the Textile River.
On a day with especially good weather in Lowell, Mass., the varsity four fared exceptionally well, placing third out of 27 competitors. The Jumbos finished only behind boats from Simmons and MIT.
"I thought [the team] had a really good showing today, and our [varsity] four especially had an excellent showing," senior co-captain Sara Douglass said. "Really, we placed about where we are every year. We had great conditions and were able to go out and row the race we wanted to."
The ideal conditions came in contrast to last year's regatta, which featured a downpour and strong winds along the Textile River. In last year's races, Tufts entered four boats, with the varsity boat placing fifth out of 10 competitors. This year's performances were strong for a young team looking to establish a new identity.
In the Club 8+ event, two Tufts varsity boats placed seventh and 16th out of 17 competitors. The Jumbo crew participating in Novice 8+ race did not fare quite as well, placing last out of five boats and clocking in nearly four minutes behind the first-place squad from UMass. However, despite a few setbacks, there is generally a feeling of optimism among the rowers.
"We definitely have work to do, but we absolutely have the talent to improve over the season." said freshman Elizabeth Webb, who rowed with the B crew that finished 16th. "With all the work we're doing over the fall, we're definitely going to get better."
The team has seen a number of its members graduate, while others are studying abroad. While last year's varsity team raced three boats in the 8+ event, this year's smaller roster fielded only two boats, with a third being split into the 4+ race. The novices were afforded some valuable experience in preparation for the spring's races, when the team will rely on them to provide a spark.
"I've been very impressed with the team so far," Webb said. "I like [coach Gary Caldwell's] workout strategy a lot. The training we do is completely different from my high school training ... his methods are very effective at getting us well-rounded and prepared. We're really going to improve so much as the season progresses."
While the regatta drew mixed performances from the Tufts boats, most team members felt it was valuable for providing a challenge to the newcomers. The length and makeup of the race differ greatly from the races the Jumbos generally have at other regattas.
"It's a much different race than we row in the spring," Douglass said of the Club 8+ event, which is a 5,000 meters rather than a 2,000. "We have a lot of [rowers] who are ... new to the team. It was good experience to get out and feel what it was like to row a 5k."
The Jumbos will now prepare for the New Hampshire Championships at Pembroke on Oct. 13. Given the growing skills of the new rowers, the Jumbos should expect continued progress as they develop leadership and chemistry in this year's squad.
