Skipping across the water
 |
The Iowa women’s rowing team found its groove in 2009.
What you should know
Heading into the season, the Hawkeyes had a fairly young team controlling the top varsity 8 and 4 boats. After a solid showing at the San Diego Crew Classic, the team really got into gear with a good weekend of racing against then-No. 4 Michigan, No. 5 Michigan State, and No. 17 Louisville. With that performance, the Hawkeyes jumped into the top 25, landing at No. 18. They vaulted to No. 17 in the week leading up to the Big Ten championships, in which they finished fifth.
Whom you should know
With senior leader Laura Kanaris graduating, the rowing team will turn to some younger talent to take over the oars. Recruiting will be a big part of any success for the team in the 2009-10 season. Several recruits are expected to have a large effect right away, having competed in the Junior World meet.
Sophomore Jessica Novack and junior Megan Erickson will also need to step up for Iowa. Also, the group of novices heading into the varsity boats is a very strong group of rowers. Senior-to-be Sheila Rinozzi, the first varsity 8 boat coxswain, will be expected to step up as a leader for the team.
Main rivals
The Iowa rowing team will try to take down others in the Big Ten, especially those ranked ahead of it nationally — Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin.
Rowers row their boats
• Team ranked as high as No. 17 as of April 29
• Took fifth at Big Ten’s, their highest finish in five years
• Will move into a new state-of-the-art boathouse in August
comments powered by Disqus
