Michigan State University Athletics
Rowers Get 2011 Season Underway Saturday
3/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
March 11, 2011
East Lansing, Mich. - A winter filled with erg training and anticipation of the start of the season comes to an end for the women's rowing program this weekend, as the Spartans kick off the 2011 campaign with a series of scrimmage races at Virginia. Raceday begins at 10 a.m.
"This is a weekend that I think everyone looks forward to from the time we get back on campus in the fall," said head coach Matt Weise. "I was really happy with our fall training, and the team has worked hard during the winter months to make sure that we're ready for the start of spring racing. We've had a good week of practice over spring break on the water, and we're excited to measure ourselves against good Virginia crews."
The Cavaliers, the defending 2010 NCAA Champions, won the national title in the Varsity Four and will give the Spartans a good early test in all boats. MSU is the three-time defending Big Ten Champion in the varsity eight and has won two of the last three Big Ten team titles. While this weekend will feature scrimmage races and set pieces, the Spartans will return to the water with the Cavaliers on April 16 for dual racing with Texas and Southern California.
The varsity eight will likely feature seniors Laura Cowal, Monique Carter, Stephanie Bochenek, Kellie LaPointe, and Alex Maibusch, junior Nikki Bade, and sophomore Michelle Neuder. One freshman, Michelle Campbell, has impressed enough in the early going to find herself in the varsity eight as well. Among the seniors, Cowal is coming off a bronze-medal-winning performance with the Canadian U23 team last summer, and has been working diligently on her technique which is making her much more effective. Carter has made good strides with her rhythm and is able to apply her power better, while Bochenek has been the Spartans' best technician and has become much more dynamic with her physical skills. An often overlooked role, LaPointe and Maibush earn kudos from their coach in regards to leading by example - being willing to grind out miles and distance without excuses, while holding their teammates accountable for the work they put in as well. Neuder, who was in the second varsity last season, was injured but pulled one of the better scores on the final erg testing, and continues to be an effective boat mover.
Campbell, who appears to have earned a spot in the varsity eight, and Michelle Sosa have been the standouts among the newcomers. Both are making good technical advances and are able to blend into any line-up.
The Spartans will travel next week to Princeton, and will host their only home race of the season on April 9 against Wisconsin and Minnesota.
