University of Minnesota Athletics
Rowing Opens Season at Head of the Mississippi
9/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Head of the Mississippi Information
The University of Minnesota rowing team opens its 2016-17 campaign this Saturday on its home course, taking part in the Head of the Mississippi. The Gophers will compete in three races - the varsity 4 (2:00 p.m.), novice 8 (2:45 p.m.), and varsity 8 (5:00 p.m.) over the course of the afternoon.
Lineups (note that Regatta Central lineups are incorrect, please use these):
Varsity 4 A | Varsity 4 B |
Varsity 8 A | Varsity 8 B | Varsity 8 C |
Lauren Burrows-Chang | ||
Sarah Vonde Goltz | ||
Follow along with the action on Twitter by visiting @Gopher_Rowing on race day.
GopherSports.com had the chance to catch up with head coach Wendy Davis to preview the upcoming season.
GS: How are you preparing for the fall season?
WD: We're night and day different from, maybe the last four years. The novices who are moving up to Varsity are so well prepared both in the volume and how hard they pull. They're ready to step in. So this fall instead of teaching people how to pull hard what we're is progressing them in their technique and it makes all the difference in the world. We're way ahead of where we've been in the first three weeks than in years past.
GS: New freshman/recruits who you expect to step up this year?
WD: Our two international recruits, Lauren and Sara, they're doing a nice job. It is hard for freshmen but they're holding their own, making changes, and fitting in nicely to the team culture and team atmosphere. But Rylie Wargo and Sarah Nelson they both look like they're doing a nice job to make it into the Head of the Charles boat which is the priority. We knew Sarah Nelson would do a nice job because of she did our development camp last summer but Rylie did not. There are always pleasant surprises in September and there are always unpleasant surprises when they (student-athletes) come back and Rylie is one of the pleasant surprises.
GS: What are your goals heading into this weekend's race and for the season?
WD: We're going to win! First of all, it depends on the wind conditions. But it really is fun to see which men's 8's we can pick off. We'll probably put out some version of even 8's but maybe when you look at the times and see one boat is well in front of the other then I couldn't help it and put out a first 8. If I'm being disciplined, I'd put out three even 8's. Realistically we're the only boats that enter and that is a way for them to motivate each other. On the other hand, if I do put out a first 8 then let's go see what men's boats we can knock off.
GS: What do you think the team can really hone in on going into the season?
WD: It's time for us to consider playing with the big kids. We not only want to get to the NCAAs but be a force in those opportunities. We not only want to do well in Big Ten meets but to start medaling in varsity events. If everyone stays healthy and everyone does their part, it's a reasonable goal.
GS: Who are some other returns who have been impressive?
WD: Haley Bagley is doing a really nice job - she's rowing the best I've ever seen her row in September. She's training for the Twin Cities Marathon and I think that has helped her a lot. Kortney Luedloff, everybody in the Varsity 1V last year is poised to do a great job for us this year.
GS: What are some things that athletes are doing in the off-season that helps them get ready for the season?
WD: We can tell the ones who have rowed over the summer versus the ones that did not. Anna Cruse came in third in the U-23 lightweight single and you can tell. We're doing more volume than we've ever done. By volume we've only got a certain amount of time and we're going further (distance) in that amount of time. Which means your volume is greater and we can only do that when they do their part in the summer.
GS: What about the team's performance out of the water?
WD: We're very proud of our academic prowess of the team. It's a very big goal of ours to stay with that.
Players Mentioned
