“We had tough conditions for the race this weekend, but we’ve rowed through similar weather on the Raritan so we felt prepared,” said sophomore co-captain Katherine Geithman (Falls Church, Va.).

 

Rutgers entered three boats into the varsity 4’s race, the first event of the day. The Rutgers A boat finished 21st out of 46 with a time of 14:58.3. The Rutgers B boat finished just over thirty two seconds after the A boat and placed 33^rd with a time of 15:31.2. The Rutgers C boat finished only 10 seconds behind the B boat and placed 40th with a time of 15:41.5.

 

All three Rutgers boats improved their placements from the previous year. In 2008 the squad placed 26^th, 39^th, and 44^th, respectively.

 

“We placed better than last year in spite of some switches in our lineups,” said Geithman.  “I’m really proud of the team’s accomplishments throughout the whole season. I think this fall really proved how much we have grown both in strength and skill.”

 

The next event of the day was the novice 8 race. The Scarlet Knights raced in two eights for their second race of the season. The Novice A boat placed 15^th of 26, with a time of 15:37.7 while the B boat finished 25^th with a time of 17:57.9.

 

With their fall season at a close, the Scarlet Knight squad enters their winter training period consisting of indoor ergometer workouts and other endurance cross-training.

 

“What happens in winter training affects our outcome in the spring depending on how hard we train and push each other to achieve higher limits as a team,” said senior co-captain Tory Rowlands (Jim Thorpe, Pa.).

 

Rutgers will return to on-the-water workouts for eight days during their training trip to Tampa, Fla. in January.

 

“Tampa is for technique, it helps the rowers get a feel for the boat and learn great lessons on and off the water,” said Rowlands.

 

Once Rutgers returns to the banks of the Raritan, they will continue their indoor training until March, when their spring season begins.

 

Rutgers boasts a competitive spring schedule with various dual and tri meets as well as bigger regattas, including the BIG EAST Regatta which will be hosted in Worcester, Mass.

 

“Getting on the water in the spring is a great experience,” Rowlands said. “The goal is to find the fastest rowers and put them together in a boat. Our endurance training will show through and the intra-squad competition will drive us to strive against other teams.”

 

Rutgers will kick off their spring season with a dual meet against Navy held on Lake Carnegie in Princeton, N.J.

Rutgers A - 21/46                               14:58.3

Rutgers B – 33/46                              15:31.2

Rutgers C – 40/46                              15:41.5

 

Rutgers A – 15/26                              15:37.7

Rutgers B - 25/26                               17:57.9