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Novice rowers succeed in first regatta

By Ben Ward

Monday, November 2, 2009

For the novice members of the rowing team, Sunday’s Frostbite Regatta in Wichita was their first and only chance to compete this fall. They took full advantage of their lone opportunity.

The four Second Novice Eight boats placed first through fourth in their race, while the First Novice Eight boats finished second, fourth, fifth, and eighth. In the Novice Four race, the two Kansas boats finished in third and fourth. In the eyes of their upperclassman teammates, the novice rowers passed the first real test of their collegiate careers.

“As a novice, you don’t know what to expect,” senior Lindsey Lawrence said. “It was great to get them a few races, and let them get familiar with the regatta environment. I think overall they did a really great job.”

The varsity rowers were also in action Sunday, and turned in similar results. The Varsity Eight boats placed first, second, third and fifth in their race, and the Varsity Four boats placed third and fourth. But coach Rob Catloth said it was primarily the impressive debut of the freshman rowers that made the day a success.

“Our main thing today was the novice races, trying to get everyone some experience,” Catloth said. “They did really well today, so I think we achieved that goal.”

Now, the novice rowers will be relegated to practice and improvement until they return to action in March. For the remainder of the fall, the varsity rowers will be firmly in the spotlight. Still, the team’s veterans reiterated the importance of the experience that Sunday’s regatta provided for the youngsters.

“It was a great way for them to start off,” senior Stacy Rachow said. “They’re only going to get better from here.”

— Edited by Sarah Kelly

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