Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Crew Closes Week Of Training With Exhibition Against Virginia
3/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
March 11, 2006
Marion, Va. - Although no official times were kept, MSU crew head coach Matt Weise was happy with his team's overall effort on the water at Hungry Mother State Park against the Virginia Cavaliers. The 1,000-meter races that MSU rowed against the Cavaliers gave both teams a chance to see where their strengths and weaknesses were against tough competition. Each boat appeared in four 1,000-meter pieces, which gave the rowers a chance to improve mistakes made in previous pieces.
"Racing these pieces gave us a chance to call time-outs, adjust equipment and rowers' spots," Weise said. "That's something we don't get to do in official races. It was a test for us to see where our weaknesses are."
The Cavaliers are the first team the Spartans have rowed against since the Notre Dame Invitational in late October, during the fall season. The exhibition gave the Spartans a golden opportunity to go through the motions of preparing for a race without the burden of official results, something that his team needed, Weise added.
The Green and White first varsity eight suffered the most from pre-race nerves, but managed to improve as the day progressed, and never let Virginia run away with any races.
"The first varsity eight was especially tense today," Weise said, "and they just need to relax and get used to gaining their composure. It was obvious we haven't seen another team since late October. Despite that, none of the boats got blown out of the water."
As was the case during the 2005 postseason, the second varsity eight was a pleasant surprise for the MSU coaches. The second varsity eight showed a good deal of speed, rowing faster than the first varsity eight boats from both teams.
The Spartan varsity fours and novice crews traded races with their Cavalier counterparts.
"I was pleased with the fact that we stayed competitive with Virginia," Weise said. "They finished second in the nation last year."
