2007-08 Crew Outlook

The Pacific Lutheran rowing program, which has a rich history, is entering it's the 43rd consecutive year of collegiate competition. Last year's graduation of several key rowers has lead to small numbers for this coming year but incoming novices boost numbers.

This year's seniors plan on leading the PLU crew to the climax of the season, the Western Intercollegiate Rowing championships (WIRAs).

If the lightweights show well and place first in their race at WIRAs, they may be allowed to move onto the Women's Lightweight National Championships. If the openweights show well, they may be racing in the NCAA Division III championships. If the men do well, they will be attending the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championships.

Key rowers for this year's women's team include the team captains, Kat Jenkins (openweight/junior) and Savannah Warren (coxswain/senior). Also, seniors Sam Prevot, Sheri Sasaki and Caron Anderson add extra motivation and knowledge to the team.

Added key returners this year include Stephanie Farrow (openweight/junior), Amber Iverson (openweight/junior), Sarah Shanebeck (lightweight/junior), Katie Allen (lightweight/junior), Shayna Horrocks (lightweight, sophomore), and Natalie McCarthy (lightweight, junior). This year, we are also adding a transfer rower, Claire Swanback (openweight, sophomore) who will add a lot of power and knowledge to the team.

The men's teams this year consists of two returning varsity rowers who are also the team captains, Justin Hull (openweight/junior) and Tyler Koehn (lightweight/junior). Chad Hall (lightweight/freshman) is returning with Tim Postlewaite, (lightweight/freshman) who has rowed in high school, to the team. The PLU men's program will have its strength in the fours and novice areas. The men's key novice rowers include Sam Whedon (lightweight/freshman) and Daniel Case, Jr (openweight/freshman) who has come to PLU with previous rowing experience.

Fast, competitive, winning rowing requires mastery of many skills beyond simple conditioning such as body preparation, direct catch and proper drive coordination. It might seem that the task of correctly executing each skill, many thousands of times while maintaining correct form and acute mental focus would seem almost impossible. It really is not; but, the ability to train effectively is actually the only attribute separating champions from those de-rigging early.

In racing, as in battle, you get what you practice. Such conceits as letting yourself ignore fundamental rowing skills, slouching, missing water and rowing negative ratio just because the water is bad or the "the piece is over and I'm tired" attidude will gain nothing. A lapse in focus in training even after the piece is over and you are tired, may bring disappointing results later on.

PLU rowers open their spring season on March 15, racing a few select boats in exhibitions against Seattle Pacific University. It will be a good experience to get the athletes, novice and varsity, in a race and will prepare PLU for the rest of the season.

The next competition, the Daffodil Regatta, will be held at American Lake on March 22. PLU follows that with the NCRC Invitational at Vancouver Lake in Vancouver, Wash. The Lutes will find out at this regatta how they stack up against numerous opposing crews including Seattle Pacific, Evergreen State, Gonzaga, and Porland State.

For the following race, the Lutes row against rivals University of Puget Sound at the Meyer/Lamberth Cup on April 12.