University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Rowing Starts Season Hosting the Head of the Mississippi
9/27/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"This season, the varsity knows what is coming, they know how to prepare and they know why we are training the way we do," Golden Gopher head coach Wendy Davis said. "With that knowledge comes the extra incentive for excellence in every workout."
The first Varsity Eight boat returns six of its eight rowers from last year. The competition for the final two or three seats will be intense. CRCA Second Team All-American Melissa Roche returns to the 1V8+ boat. Roche, a first-team All-Big Ten and first team All-Central Region, will look to be a leader in her junior season. Davis believes that she can prove herself to be one of the best rowers in the league. "(Roche) has taken enough strokes to now move into the next level of excellence," said Davis.
Among the returners is senior Heidi Rose, who attended the 2002 National Team Development camp last summer and gained valuable experience that she can bring to the team this season. Rose looks to take the next step to be a leader within the 1V8+.
Also watch for senior Beth Hornby, who is continuing to improve from her honor of 2001 Canadian Sculler of the Year, and will be a leader on the team with her calm but aggressive attitude. Hornby gained All-Big Ten honors in the program's first year as a varsity sport in the 2000- 01 campaign.
Amber Riopel is another first Varsity Eight rower returning for the Golden Gophers. Riopel, a fifth-year senior, was an All-Big Ten second- team selection in 2000-01 and was a member of the Big Ten Boat of the Week last April.
The Gophers defeated Wisconsin and Iowa at Big Ten Racing. It was the first time the Gophers defeated conference opponents. Minnesota hopes to break into the polls this season after receiving votes last year. It was the first time in the program's two-year history to do so.
Twelve seniors on the team graduated last year, leaving the rowing squad with three open spots in the first Varsity Eight and seven in the second Varsity Eight. The new varsity rowers, having gained experience after a season on the novice squad, are expected to be competitive and contend for positions on these boats.
"We have a number of second-year rowers like Sarah Underdahl and Katie Thurstin who are learning quickly what the expectations of the team are, and are stepping up nicely," said Davis.
This year's novice squad turnout is the best yet with many eager and athletic women ready to dedicate themselves to rowing.
Armed with increased experience and developing skills, Davis expects Minnesota to finish fourth or better in the Big Ten this year. The top three schools in the Big Ten Championships are in the top 10 nationally, making this a daunting task. But according to Davis, one that is not impossible.
"For us to break into the top three, things will have to go `just right.' If we are able to have no significant injuries or illness to key athletes, cooperative weather in the early spring, and an unwavering effort every day from each athlete, we have a shot to pull off a real coup," said Davis.
The Gophers open the season as the host institution for the Head of the Mississippi Regatta, Oct. 5. Minnesota hosts the first spring event in its two-year history at Lake Phalen in Maplewood. The Gophers welcome Iowa and Wisconsin on April 19 and UCLA on April 26. Now in its third season, the University of Minnesota rowing team looks to compete not only at the Big Ten Championships, but to make an impact on the national scene. The Gophers hope to improve on the first Varsity Eight's fourth-place conference finish and the team's fifth- place finish, set one year ago.
"This season, the varsity knows what is coming, they know how to prepare and they know why we are training the way we do," Golden Gopher head coach Wendy Davis said. "With that knowledge comes the extra incentive for excellence in every workout."
The first Varsity Eight boat returns six of its eight rowers from last year. The competition for the final two or three seats will be intense. CRCA Second Team All-American Melissa Roche returns to the 1V8+ boat. Roche, a first-team All-Big Ten and first team All-Central Region, will look to be a leader in her junior season. Davis believes that she can prove herself to be one of the best rowers in the league. "(Roche) has taken enough strokes to now move into the next level of excellence," said Davis.
Among the returners is senior Heidi Rose, who attended the 2002 National Team Development camp last summer and gained valuable experience that she can bring to the team this season. Rose looks to take the next step to be a leader within the 1V8+.
Also watch for senior Beth Hornby, who is continuing to improve from her honor of 2001 Canadian Sculler of the Year, and will be a leader on the team with her calm but aggressive attitude. Hornby gained All-Big Ten honors in the program's first year as a varsity sport in the 2000- 01 campaign.
Amber Riopel is another first Varsity Eight rower returning for the Golden Gophers. Riopel, a fifth-year senior, was an All-Big Ten second- team selection in 2000-01 and was a member of the Big Ten Boat of the Week last April.
The Gophers defeated Wisconsin and Iowa at Big Ten Racing. It was the first time the Gophers defeated conference opponents. Minnesota hopes to break into the polls this season after receiving votes last year. It was the first time in the program's two-year history to do so.
Twelve seniors on the team graduated last year, leaving the rowing squad with three open spots in the first Varsity Eight and seven in the second Varsity Eight. The new varsity rowers, having gained experience after a season on the novice squad, are expected to be competitive and contend for positions on these boats.
"We have a number of second-year rowers like Sarah Underdahl and Katie Thurstin who are learning quickly what the expectations of the team are, and are stepping up nicely," said Davis.
This year's novice squad turnout is the best yet with many eager and athletic women ready to dedicate themselves to rowing.
Armed with increased experience and developing skills, Davis expects Minnesota to finish fourth or better in the Big Ten this year. The top three schools in the Big Ten Championships are in the top 10 nationally, making this a daunting task. But according to Davis, one that is not impossible.
"For us to break into the top three, things will have to go `just right.' If we are able to have no significant injuries or illness to key athletes, cooperative weather in the early spring, and an unwavering effort every day from each athlete, we have a shot to pull off a real coup," said Davis.
The Gophers open the season as the host institution for the Head of the Mississippi Regatta, Oct. 5. Minnesota hosts the first spring event in its two-year history at Lake Phalen in Maplewood. The Gophers welcome Iowa and Wisconsin on April 19 and UCLA on April 26.
