Rowing: A deeper look
With one event in its wake, and fun and exciting events in their near future, the Texas Rowing season is now in full swing. With the addition of some of last year's novices to the varsity roster and an overhaul in attitude, the Texas Rowing team is looking to do big things this year.
Speaking of some of the team's changes, sophomore coxswain Mary Cait McPherson said, "I think it is something that you really have to be on the team to see, but team attitude has improved a lot. The new novices are really awesome and they are always pushing each other." This new attitude was put to the test last week at the team's first event, the Head of the Oklahoma, where bad conditions did not prevent the team from posting good results. Three pairs finished in the top five and the varsity eight boat took fifth among some stiff competition. McPherson commented, "It actually went really well, and we did a lot better than last year. The conditions were horrible, but we rowed well. We are accustomed to rowing on Lady Bird Lake where conditions are near perfect, so we're not used to being put in such conditions. There was really choppy water and a strong headwind, which always makes the race longer." Rowing's next event will be on Texas' home water at Lady Bird Lake on Saturday, Oct. 27. However, McPherson and the rest of the top eight will miss due to participating in the Princeton Chase in Princeton, N.J. "The 'Pumpkinhead' of The Colorado is a really exciting race, because it is our first home race and we always row in Halloween costumes," McPherson said. "In addition to the costumes, it is fun because it is the novice team's first race of the season." While the rest of the team is in costumes, the varsity eight will be rowing at the Princeton Chase in New Jersey. On the prospects of competing in the race, McPherson said, "It is going to be awesome. I've never been and I'm excited for it because it is a very competitive race and a lot of great schools are going to be there." Whether the team is rowing while dressed in Halloween costumes or at a prestigious Princeton regatta, one thing is for sure says McPherson, "The team's character is killer this year and we're really going for it."
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