March 11, 2011
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the ninth in an ongoing series on UND.com, spotlighting the 2011 Notre Dame spring sports season with both written and video previews. Today, we take a look at the Fighting Irish rowing team, which has won seven consecutive BIG EAST Conference titles, the longest active string of any Notre Dame team.
With seven consecutive BIG EAST Conference titles in hand and the fall portion of the schedule complete, the Notre Dame rowing team and head coach Martin Stone turn their attention to the spring segment of the schedule.
Notre Dame’s goals remain clear again as the Irish shoot for an eighth straight BIG EAST crown and a return to the NCAA championship for the first time since 2007.
The Irish will rely on an 11-member senior class to guide them to those heights on the upcoming campaign, led by tri-captains Emily Crosby, Stephanie Gretsch and Carol Ann Michel. The three exemplify leadership within the locker room as they were elected by their fellow rowers to direct this year’s squad.
Notre Dame does have to fill certain holes this season, however, after the departure of a very talented six-member senior class. That class consisted of Andrea Archer, Emily Backer, Brittney Kelly, Braegan Padley, Casey Robinson and Sarah Keithley.
There is one holdover from last year’s senior class as coxswain Rachael Louie returns for an additional year with the program. In addition to Louie, Crosby, Gretsch and Michel, the remaining seniors are made up of Christina Buckley, Hannah Jackson, Megan Keegan, Brianna Krafcik, Katherine Linnemanstons, Genevieve Malone and Paige White.
“The class has done a great job in developing a strong team dynamic,” Stone states. “They all work very hard and set the example for the rest of the team. I think they are very driven to perform at a high level this year.”
Experience will be a cornerstone for this year’s team, as 10 of the 11 rowers finished last season as a part of either the varsity four, second varsity eight or varsity eight boats. This depth should be a crucial component for the Irish going forward this season.
The depth of the team looks to be tested on the opening weekend of the season as the squad opens with a regatta against the likes of Alabama and Minnesota (Mar. 13) before training during the week in preparation for Buffalo (Mar. 19) to conclude their spring break trip to Oak Ridge, Tenn.
“I think this weekend’s scrimmage will be good,” Stone continues. “The format is 3 x 5′ at capped ratings. The capped ratings allow us to do pieces this early in the season. A normal race would include a start of the race, sequence and finish of the race, in which both the sequence and finish are very skill related and take time to master. The base work we are going to do this weekend is something we should be able to handle given that we have been inside during winter and not in the boats that much.”
After the spring break trip, the Irish head down to Indianapolis, Ind., to take on Indiana and Purdue (Mar. 27) before heading out west to take part in the Gold River Challenge (Apr. 16-17) in Sacramento, Calif. The event gives the Irish an early look at what could potentially await them for the NCAA Championships, as the Championships will take place at the same venue.
The Irish then kick off May in search of their eighth consecutive conference crown. The one-day event is slated to take place on May 1 in West Windsor, N.J. The Irish have won seven straight titles and have finished no lower than second place dating back to ’01.
“Winning the BIG EAST title is goal that we have at the start of every season, but it is not something we talk about very much at this time of the year,” Stone remarks. “I think that we mostly focus on what we are doing each day and quite frankly just trying to make it through some of the workouts. The team understands that if we train well now and focus on the training we will be in good place in early May.”
An ACC tussle then awaits the Irish, as the team heads back to Oak Ridge, Tenn., for a showdown against Clemson and Virginia (May 15) in preparation for the U.S. Rowing Collegiate Championships (May 21-22) back in West Windsor, N.J.
A hopeful appearance at the NCAA Championships rounds out the docket, as the Irish look to return after last appearing there in ’07. The three-day event takes place from May 27-29 in Sacramento, Calif.
Notre Dame’s rowers will once again have a very trusted, knowledgeable and deep coaching staff to aide in their development during the fall season and in the off-season practice regimen. This year’s staff will see the return of all three coaches in associate head coach Joe Schlosberg and assistant coach Marnie Stahl alongside 13th year head coach Stone. Heather Schlosberg also returns for her third year with the program as well to provide additional tutelage.
With the mix of a talented and leadership-filled senior class and the depth within the freshmen through junior classes, this year’s squad has all the tools needed to earn a berth to the NCAA Championships.
— ND —