Rowing prepares for Big 12 rematch

Friday, April 27, 2007

Tricia Sawtelle was a bit skeptical when the members of the Kansas rowing team were told to close their eyes and row.

“We were kind of nervous because we were afraid someone was going to get an oar handle in the back,” Sawtelle, a senior rower, said. “After we did it the first time, we thought, ‘Oh, that was easier than we thought it would be,’ and just had fun with it.”

Sawtelle said that the rowers had to trust each other and depend on what they felt because they couldn’t see what anyone else was doing.

Senior rower Lindsey Miles said the team wasn’t sure whether to take the idea seriously at first, but the exercise helped them focus on moving together during a stressful point in the race.

“The start is a very hectic, nerve-wracking time, and we have a tendency to get over hyped up,” Miles said. “We’re not as in sync as well as we can be.”

Starts have caused problems for the Jayhawks this season. Kansas’ first varsity eight boat fell behind early against Minnesota, and three Kansas boats did the same against Kansas State on April 7. It’s one of the things the Jayhawks will try to improve in Sunday’s Big 12 Invitational in Kansas City, Kan.

Kansas coach Rob Catloth said the exercise wasn’t a “magic potion” but would help the rowers be aware of more than what they saw in the boat.

“It’s just a little trick to help you think about things a little differently and get your focus on things that will help you go faster,” he said.

Kansas will race against Kansas State and Texas, the only other Big 12 Conference universities with rowing teams. Kansas finished second to Texas in all six races on March 24. The Jayhawks defeated the Wildcats in Lawrence to capture the Kansas Cup two weeks later.

Kansas and Kansas State tied for second behind Texas at last year’s invitational. Texas has won the past five years.

Sophomore coxswain Katie Brosious said the team was ready to “get after” the title.

“I think we’re ready to take the cup,” she said. “Texas has had it way too long.”

The regatta begins at 11 a.m. Sunday on Lake Wyandotte in Kansas City, Kan.

Kansan senior sportswriter

Catherine Odson can be contacted at codson@kansan.com.

— Edited by Trevan McGee

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