University of Minnesota Athletics
ROW: Gophers Continue Rowing In the Off Season
9/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
The Maroon and Gold had 13 rowers compete with the MRC, which competed at the USRowing Club National Championships in Indianapolis. The Gophers and the MRC medaled in all 17 events contested. While each Gopher rowed in at least three events, some rowed in as many as five. The MRC finished as high as second in the Elite Eight and the Intermediate, and third in the Senior Eight. Of the rowers that competed, five were from Minnesota’s First Varsity Eight, while majority of the Second Varsity Eight and Varsity Four boats were also represented. One rower, senior captain Cheryl Wick, said that it was a fairly easy transition to compete with the MRC.
“The highlight for me rowing this summer was being able to see a majority of my teammates at MRC,” Wick said. “I really think that it was because there were so many of us at MRC, the transition to club rowing was nothing. Of course, there was a coaching style adjustment we had to make, but it really helped to know that on the mornings that we didn't get a lot of coaching, we were improving our ability to self-teach and self-coach. Competing at the USRowing Nationals was fun, but it was only one of my favorite times this summer. On those mornings that were especially hard to wake up, just knowing that so many people would be there, waiting for you and holding you accountable, made the summer that much better.”
Some of the Gophers returned home during the summer and competed with their club teams. Christine O'Donnell competed with the Saratoga Rowing Club, her club team prior to her freshman season at Minnesota. O’Donnell and the SRC competed at the Empire State Games at Marist College in New York where she was in the Open Four and the Open Eight. She also went on to compete in the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in the Open Four, Open Eight and the Open Eight 500 meter dash.
Even the rowers that haven’t even put on a Golden Gopher uniform yet were busy in the water. Incoming junior transfer Jennifer Barnes competed with the prestigious Vesper Boat Club, located in Philadelphia. With Barnes’ help, the VBC captured the Independence Day Open Eight event and placed fifth at the USRowing National Championship Regatta. Like O’Donnell, Barnes also competed at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, helping her boat to a first-place finished in the Senior B Eight race.
Although the summer is over and classes have started, many of the Gopher rowers are excited to get back to their team and start a new season. The Golden Gophers get closer to reaching their goal of becoming a NCAA qualified rowing team. With a new boathouse in the works and head coach Wendy Davis entering her sixth season at the helm of the program, Wick is anxious to return for her final season with the Maroon and Gold.
“Through rowing this summer, I learned how lucky we are to have the sport of rowing available to us at the collegiate level,” Wick said. “There are numerous rowers at MRC that were not as fortunate while in college, as we are to have the facilities, boats and support that we do through rowing for Minnesota. Even after this first week back on the water here at Minnesota, the boats are already moving well and we are all looking forward to another successful year.”
