Indiana University Athletics
IU Rowing to Scrimmage Michigan State, Iowa This Weekend
10/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Oct. 30, 2009
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana rowing team will travel to South Bend, Ind., this weekend for a scrimmage against Michigan State and Iowa, on the St. Joe River.
The 3-mile head race hosted by Notre Dame will begin on Saturday, Oct. 31, as the Hoosiers will have four Varsity 4 crews racing, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday beginning at Noon, IU will compete in three pieces, as two of its Varsity 8, Varsity 4 and Novice 8 crews will race.
"Last week our top varsity crew raced well in Princeton and showed that the work we are doing puts us right in the thick of some fast programs on the East Coast," said Indiana head coach Steve Peterson. "This is the first opportunity for us to see how fast we are with respect to the crews in our region and conference. This also gives us a chance to see how the team is developing as a whole since we will be taking our full squad to this event. The first race of the year is always exciting because you never really know how fast you will be compared to your competition, and that's what we'll find out this weekend."
The Spartans finished as the No. 7 seven team nationally last season, with the Hawkeyes finishing at No. 17. Last weekend, the Hoosiers' top Varsity 8 crew placed 15th out of 55 crews, beating Cornell and Virginia with a time of 15:58.802.
"The goal, like last weekend and for every race, is to win," Peterson added. "But ultimately what will determine whether or not this trip is successful is whether or not our crews perform to the best of their ability and we are competitive with the competition. If we can come away achieving those two things, especially against several nationally ranked crews, then we are right where we need to be at this point of the year."
Following this weekend's competition, the Hoosiers will race against Ohio State and will face Michigan State again in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 15.
