Indiana University Athletics
IU Opens Season at Purdue (3-27-03)
3/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Bloomington, Ind. -The Varsity and Novice rowing teams open up its 2003 spring season Sunday, March 30 in West Lafayette, Ind., to face off against in-state opponents Purdue and Notre Dame. The first race will begin at 1:10 p.m. with the final race beginning at 3:20 p.m.
After enduring a long winter of training indoors, the Hoosiers were finally able to enjoy the water, but not on Lake Lemon, instead they traveled to Winchester, Tenn., for a seven-day training session at Tims Ford State Park. The overall feeling from the experience was positive, as the Hoosiers feel ready for their first spring race.
"Our week of spring training was very positive," senior co-captain Erin Koers said. "We had effective practices, and everyone was mentally prepared from the minute we arrived.
The team performed well at our scrimmage against the University of New Hampshire at the end of the week. We're excited to move this success into our season as we begin competing."
Purdue, although a club sport at the University, has developed a winning tradition. Establish in 1949, Purdue Crew Club is one of the oldest university club programs in the nation. Purdue opens its season on Saturday, March 29 against Marietta College only to turn around and play host to Indiana and Notre Dame on Sunday.
Notre Dame has already competed in three regattas this spring. The first was against Clemson and North Carolina. The Irish won the second Varsity 8 and the second Varsity 4 races. In its second regatta Notre Dame went up against Tennessee. The two teams raced three pieces of 1,500 meters. In the first session Notre Dame claimed the Novice 8, second Varsity 4 and Varsity 4 victories. In the second session the Irish swept Tennessee, winning the Varsity 8, Novice 8, Varsity 4 and second Varsity 8 races. In the final session Notre Dame was victorious in the second Varsity 8 competition.
Notre Dame played host to Michigan in its most recent regatta where the second Varsity 8 took all three 900-m pieces, the Varsity 4 won two out of three races and the Novice 8 beat Michigan twice and tied once.
It is fair to say that the competition in the Hoosiers' opening race is fierce, but Coach Wilson feels that his team is well prepared and is ready to face competitors of this caliber.
"This weekend we go up against Notre Dame and Purdue, two very good teams," head coach Mark Wilson said. "Notre Dame was an NCAA qualifier last year, they have a deep team that is very talented. Purdue is also a great team that has a great tradition. We are just going to go after both teams this weekend. We are going to race our race and see what we can do. The girls are excited and thinking about the race. They have been mentally prepared since last week. If we don't win, being close at this point in the season is important."
