Jan. 27, 2006
SAN DIEGO -
"Our goal each morning is to find our limits, then break them."
It's 5 a.m. And while most people are still sleeping in their warm beds, the San Diego State women's crew team gears up for another practice on Mission Bay. We arrive at practice cold and tired. We leave even more tired with blistered hands and wet clothes. But on all occasions we leave with the satisfaction of knowing that we have accomplished more before sunrise than most people do all day. The determination to brave the elements is part of what makes the women on the Aztec crew team so strong. Our goal each morning is to find our limits, then break them. It is this positive attitude which has helped our team perform at such a high level through the years.
For the past three years, SDSU women's crew has been a team in transition. With Jennifer Zebroski in her third year as head coach and a strong, solid combination of assistant coaches, Colin Truex and Alison Abrams, the transition is starting to become complete. We have been lucky enough to be a part of this team since the beginning of Jen and Colin's Aztec coaching careers. Just as we have grown and progressed as rowers so have they as coaches. They have built a team that is stronger and tougher than it has ever been before.
But of course it's not just the coaches that make the team, it's the rowers. And with a cast of veterans and recruits as strong as ours, our season is bound to be special. This past fall, the Varsity Eight competed in the Head of the Charles Regatta against several elite crews. In the Newport Autumn Rowing Festival, we displayed the depth that this program has not had in years after our three varsity boats placed third, eighth and 11th out of 24 boats.
The novice crews also showed a lot of promise during the fall. Despite just having learned to row a few months earlier, they have already claimed some major victories for our team.. Our two novice boats placed first and second in their first-ever race for the scarlet and black at the San Diego Row for the Cure. The novices then continued their success as our single entry finished fourth at Newport,while two boats delivered first and fifth-place performances at the San Diego Fall Classic. Their ability to grasp the techniques and build their strength so quickly shows how much they have to offer the team. We look forward to seeing those rowers in our top varsity boats in the years to come.
All of our boats have high expectations going into the spring season. Our returning rowers and coxswains have an amazing amount of talent and experience, including juniors and sophomores. Our recruiting class, consisting of freshmen and junior college transfers, has given us a solid foundation for the future.. Our novice squad is an outstanding group of walk-ons who bring not only physical strength, but a positive, upbeat and winning attitude we admire.
Together, we are all looking forward to an exciting and successful spring season. We can't wait to see the results of all the hours of training we put in, and hope to see you all at the races cheering us on.
Go Aztecs!!