Rowing Back in Action Saturday in Cambridge and in Huntsville
10/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama Rowing team is back in action Saturday, sending crews to two different fall regattas. The Crimson Tide varsity travels to the legendary Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Mass. while the novice squad gets its season started at the Hobbs Island Regatta in Huntsville, Ala.
Alabama head coach Larry Davis is taking an 8+ varsity crew up to the Charles, one slated to feature junior Cathryn Whitlock, junior Katherine Spohr, senior Stacey Ogle, junior Jess Autrey, sophomore Daniella Barone, sophomore Amelia Houghton, sophomore Laura Skaggs, junior Jessica Scivley and junior Tacoma Morrissey.
"The crew we're taking to the Head of the Charles has really made some strides this fall, especially this week as we were doing our final prep work," Davis said. "We are looking to be in contention for a medal again this year and I think this crew has that capability. We're pretty pumped up about what we can accomplish up there. The weather is suppose to be a little cold, a little raw, but we're going to try and ignore that and focus in on the job at hand."
The Head of the Charles is the largest and is considered one of toughest rowing competitions in the world on a course that is full of twists and turns. Last season, the Tide, in only its second year as NCAA Division I program, earned a silver medal in the 8+ race.
"It's a very high level regatta with crews from around the country and around the world so it gives us an opportunity to test ourselves against the best," Davis said. "It's a very demanding course as well which will test our focus."
While the varsity squad made its debut last weekend at the Chattanooga Head Race, the Tide's novices get the 2008-09 season started Saturday in Huntsville.
"We've had a very good turnout for our novice squad this year and that's a testament to assistant coach Marina Traub who has really done a nice job of recruiting both scholarship and walk-on athletes," Davis said. "And once here, she and our other assistant coach Derek Tuten have worked hard getting them ready to compete."
Alabama is sending two novice crews to the Hobbs Island Regatta. Sarah Cleveland, Veronica Wilson, Christine Saucier, Allie Wettelands, Kristen Iverson, Blake Reed, Lara Bullock, Audrey White and Meredith Wildes are slated to make up one 8+ boat while Paige Storey, Erika Baraneck, Leigh Ann Terch, Jessica Allaway, Bianca Arrington, Stephanie Varner, Lindsey Kent, Valerie Vargas and Caroline Powell will power the Tide's other 8+ in Huntsville.
"Hobbs Island will be our first chance to see the novices in action," Davis said. "We're looking forward to some great things this season and it starts Saturday. We have some pretty good depth and we're happy with the way they've been improving through the fall."
The Tide varsity is scheduled to row at the Head of the Charles after 12:30 p.m. ET while the novices go off just after 10 a.m. CT at the Hobbs Island Regatta.
Players Mentioned
