George Washington University Athletics
Women's Rowing Set To Begin 2009 Spring Season
3/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
March 17, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC - The racing season is just around the corner and George Washington Women's Rowing is ready to return to the water after two and a half months of erging, running and strength training. The 2009 racing season promises to be a year in which youth plays a major role for the Colonials. With nearly twenty novices training daily with the varsity team, the group has developed a unified team dynamic that provides daily motivation.
"The upcoming season should be really exciting," said head coach Robert McCracken. "We have a small but talented varsity squad and a large novice squad that is only beginning to figure out what it is capable of achieving. I've been pleased by their effort and approach to practice on a daily basis. I'm looking forward to seeing how the season turns out."
The young team will rely heavily on the leadership and racing experience of its three seniors to make it through a challenging spring season. Bess Austin, Bonnie Scott and Karri Hester have experienced a wide range of success during their time at GW and are hoping to leave their mark on the team as strong and driven leaders. Their efforts will be complemented by strong junior and sophomore classes who know that success this year will lay the foundation for continued growth next season.
"As a team we are excited and ready for our spring racing season," said Austin who is also one of the team's captains. "We have been working hard this winter to push each other on the ergs and in the weight room so that we can redefine our limits. Although we are a small team, we are a strong team and we are very excited to get on the race course and hopefully surprise some of our competition."
This year's novice squad is developing into a very talented group and should be ready to bring a new level of competitiveness to the team this spring. "Leading up into season, the novice team has proven that they have the desire to compete," said freshman Lisa Van Arsdale. "I'm not nervous about what to expect this season because I know my teammates and I will do everything we can to go as fast as we can and hopefully win some races. I'm really excited."
The spring season opens on March 22 with a race against George Mason and Mary Washington on the Occoquan River. The following weekend the team returns to the Potomac for a double dual against ACC schools Duke and North Carolina. The Colonials will also compete in two cup races this year. The team will face Navy and Boston University for the Playfair Cup on April 4 and Georgetown for the 1998 Cup on May 10. This year's George Washington Invitational Regatta will feature Saint Joseph's, Navy, Columbia and Colgate among others. The focus of the season is the 2009 Atlantic 10 Championship where the Colonials hope to return to the medal stand and move up in the team standings.
The Colonials will have their chance to see how months of hard work and preparation pay off when they compete in the Eastern Sprints Women's Regatta on May 17. The regatta features four teams who competed in the 2008 NCAA Championship, including varsity eight champion Yale and team champion Brown.
