Indiana University Athletics
Spring Training in Tennessee (3-12-03)
3/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Bloomington, Ind. - After a long winter of training indoors the Indiana rowing team heads to Tims Ford State Park in Winchester, Tenn., for outdoor spring training from March 15-22. The Hoosiers will end their seven-day training sessions with a scrimmage on March 22 against the University of New Hampshire.
Indoor training has primarily consisted of working on the erg machines, weight training and some cross training. Although this has been beneficial to the team, it is necessary to get on the water and the anticipation is one that the team is looking forward to.
"Being outdoors is a big plus and I think that everyone is looking forward to that," head coach Mark Wilson said. "Normally at this time of year we have been out on the water for at least a week or two. However it is that way in the Midwest right now and actually in the Northeast as well. I have stressed on numerous occasions to the team and will continue to stress the fact that strokes that we have the opportunity to take are a finite number and the team has to realize how important every stroke is. Having the extra time indoors doesn't hurt but it makes their on water time even more precious. The approach, the attitude, the commitment level, the ability to realize that everyday is important and ever part of the day is important is critical if we want to move forward."
Senior Margaret Clark feels that winter training was an overall success and is excited about being on the water with her teammates once again.
"Spring training will bring back wonderful memories of what rowing on water, in a boat, and with teammates right beside us feels like," said Clark. "The memory of rowing as one will become a reality once again and we will be fast. Winter training made us stronger, now it is up to spring training and racing to get us rowing faster, and together. I know we can do it."
Both the Varsity and the Novice squads are making the trip to Tennessee and head Novice coach Angela Leone knows that the experience of indoor training will show once her team gets on the water.
"This has been a long winter, we have been practicing inside since mid-November," said Leone. "Although we would have liked to be on the water by this time a lot of positives have come from our winter training. All of the athletes are in great shape, they continue to push themselves, and have formed a great team bond. The Varsity and Novice squads have interacted a lot over the past few months and given each other the kind of support they need. It is not easy to get up when it is still dark outside, come to the U-school gym in the cold, and then row on machines instead of the lake. It is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. I am looking forward to getting on the water next week. We will finally have the opportunity to take our speed from the erg to the boat."
The Hoosiers have met all of their winter training goals and expectations but feel that this spring break training experience is one that will further their potential as a team.
"This winter season has gone very well," Wilson said. "We have done more erging than we have ever done before and a little less cross training than we have done in the past. The Varsity team is taking this very well and it has actually given the Novice team an opportunity to get into rhythm and find rhythm with the erg machines. The attitude and approach to the winter training has been really good and I think that everyone is thinking very positively about getting on the water next week."
The Hoosiers open up their spring season on Sunday, March 30 in West Lafayette, Ind., where they will go up against Purdue and Notre Dame.
