Jan. 5, 2005
SAN DIEGO - Captains' 2005 Outlook
"There is no room in this boat for individual achievement. No room for stars and no room for heroes. These boats are powered by perfectly timed pistons and one determined will. Because in crew there's only one way to win and that is as a team. So we don't pull each other through the water, we push each other."
How better to describe our team than the poster that hangs on the wall of nearly every San Diego State rower. Not to be taken lightly or merely as a decorative poster, yet as the definition of what our season has been and what it stands for in the future.
Going into our last year on the rowing team here at San Diego State, we have seen many of our teammates rise to the occasion and outperform goals that they never thought were obtainable. Through broken personal records and medals of achievement, San Diego State women's rowing team has had a very successful beginning to its 2004-2005 season.
Starting out the year there was determination and drive on every varsity rower's mind. With the summer workouts completed, all of the girls were anxious to get on the water to prepare for a strong season. With the start of the year came the strongest recruiting class that our program has ever seen, including an extremely quick learning walk-on group.
Racing started in October with the varsity eight traveling back to Boston to compete in the prestigious rowing event, the Head of the Charles Regatta. It was an amazing experience! We placed fifth in the collegiate varsity eight race out of 50 teams from all over the world. Having finished 44th of 53 teams in 2001, we were thrilled with the result.
Following the success of the Charles, the novice supported a cause and raced in the annual Row for the Cure. They showed their potential placing first and third of 10 competing boats. We are excited about the strength and enthusiasm that every novice girl brings to the team.
The lightweights have a united group with eight of the nine girls returning from last year's successful boat. After traveling to New Jersey to compete in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships (IRAs) and finishing 10th overall, we are looking forward to seeing the lightweights have another successful season. The lightweights have started this season off strong with a second-place finish at the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival (NARF), finishing only one second behind their rival Stanford. We are excited to see their speed in the spring.
We finished the fall season in Mission Bay with the annual San Diego Fall Classic. The novices once again showed their abilities and placed first and fourth in the race, while the varsity had a strong showing placing first, fourth, seventh, and eighth. The first place finish was the varsity "A" boat's first time beating Loyola Marymount's varsity eight in a number of years.
Bonding together, this year's team has participated in various community service events as well as completed its annual one-million meter row-a-thon. The generous donations from our supporters will be used to supply the team with new traveling gear as well as improving our racing equipment.
With our final season of rowing in the near future, it is hard for us to not be saddened by the thought of the end approaching. However, we are so proud of our team for the hard work and dedication that each member has put forth. Without each and every one of the 64 girls in "our family," our team would not be the same. We are truly lucky to have such a positive and motivating coaching staff that shares our enthusiasm for a successful season. Although this is our last year, "this is the one that counts...." Thanks to all of our friends, families, and supporters who have not only given their time but their financial support. We could not do this without you!
Go Aztecs!
Kristen Olson
Sarah McKillip