Crew set to compete in two regattas

This weekend is a big one for the women's rowing team; a "grand slam" said coach Mark Wilson. The Hoosiers travel to Illinois for two regattas -- the Chicago Chase in Chicago Saturday, Oct. 13 and the Head of the Rock in Rockford, Ill., Sunday, Oct. 14.\n"I am looking forward to this weekend a great deal," Wilson said. "I know that our A 8 (boat) is faster than they showed on Saturday so this will be a good chance to get things back on track."\nThe Hoosiers will participate in multiple events during the weekend, and although Wilson does not expect the women to win all the events, he wants them to try hard.\n"We would like to portray the program as having depth in all races," Wilson said.\nBut once the women hit the water Saturday and Sunday, portraying that depth is entirely up to them. "We have to stay together as a team," junior Angie Todd said. "You don't have a coach to bring you back."\nWithout a coach breathing down their necks, the women are in complete control.\n"It leaves all the responsibility on the coxswain and the rowers," junior Katie Fitzgerald said.\nLast year at the Chicago Chase both the Varsity and the Novice teams placed first in the Open 8 plus events. The women also placed first in the Open 4 plus events at the Head of the Rock. With another year's experience and hard work the women hope to defend those titles. \nWilson seems to be comfortable with the women's choices on the water and likes what he sees.\n"I see both the varsity and the Novice teams thinking and that is good," Wilson said. "They are feeling the boats better and they are feeling their jobs in the boats better. I like what I see in practice and hope that the team can work in the race as well"