April 12, 2004

The racing season ...

The racing season has officially begun, leading to an increased sense of excitement and intensity for the entire team- this is what we've been waiting for all year. The countless hours spent on the ergs during the snowy winter, the insane number of reps pumped out in the weight room, the two intense weeks of training trips... all have led us up to this point where we are finally ready to compete.

Saturday morning arrives after a week of two-a-day practices, including plenty of pieces and practice starts, and we are all up early to head to the boathouse, ready to face our opposition. Focusing and harnessing all of the individual energy and excitement (not to mention a touch of apprehension) can often be a challenge, but that is what crew is all about. Eight rowers and a coxswain come together as one unit, to focus and work together. For out on the race course that is all you've got- there are 8 other girls in the boat with you, and only by working together as one are we able to row our best and hopefully cross the finish line with our bow ball in front.

We have been lucky these past few weeks in having "home-court" advantage, with Army, George Mason, and Delaware all traveling to come race on the Susquehanna. The start to the racing season has been very successful for both the varsity and novice. I had the opportunity to stroke the first novice eight against Army and George Mason, which was an incredibly surprising and motivating race, since that eight had only practiced together twice before, and came out to win by open water! Still on an adrenaline high, I hot-seated into 6-seat of the varsity lightweight 8 and got to go out and do it again! While my legs were completely dead afterwards, it was definitely a confidence boost to start the season off with two solid wins.

While being familiar with the course, not having to rig and de-rig boats, and having the time to get adequate rest and recovery is certainly advantageous for racing at home, I am incredibly excited to start traveling to races. Coming from Seattle, I am so happy that crew is allowing me the opportunity to get out of Lewisburg and experience more of the east coast. Building off the momentum of these first few races, hopefully our travels will lead to an even more exciting and successful racing season ahead of us- I can't wait to experience it!

- Lauren Olsen '07