IU to compete in prestigious regatta

The coxswain and top eight rowers of the IU women's crew team will travel to Boston this weekend to race in the prominent Head of the Charles regatta. Sunday will be the second time that an IU boat has ever raced in the event in its 42-year history, and the Hoosiers intend to make their mark.\n"We're looking for our athletes to be in the top 25 finishers, which is basically the top half of colleges and probably the U.S. National Team," IU coach Steve Peterson said. "It's ambitious, and it's not going to be an easy thing to accomplish, but it's our goal for the weekend."\nBased on years past, an anticipated 10,000 spectators will crowd the banks of the Charles River to watch more than 7,500 top-tier rowers -- ranging from high school athletes to national team contenders -- compete over the course of the weekend. \n"I've competed there before in high school, and it's such an overwhelming experience," said senior coxswain Betsy Hibbard. "This is the biggest fall race in the country."\nThe team will arrive in Boston mid-day Saturday and have an entire day to become familiar with the race course. The Hoosiers will race the time trial-styled event on Sunday afternoon. In the head race, boats are released off the starting line every 15 seconds. Peterson hopes IU can pass the University of San Diego, which starts right before the Hoosiers and stave off Dartmouth College, two boats behind. \nOne of the greatest challenges for the Hoosiers will be maintaining concentration on the complex and unfamiliar course, Peterson said. \n"The Charles is a narrow river with a lot of turns, so it's very easy for a crew to get overwhelmed and distracted," Peterson said. "Last weekend, we didn't perform well because we weren't focused, and this weekend they have to raise their game." \nThe Hoosiers faced a disappointing loss to the University of Cincinnati last weekend at Lake Lemon and have spent the week testing new lineups to find the best boat IU can have for the Head of the Charles regatta. \n"After losing last weekend when we knew we could have done better, we've been kicking each others' butts and fighting for each position since we know only one boat can go," Hibbard said. "We have a lot to prove to our coaches, teammates, IU and ourselves. We'll remember that every stroke, and we won't forget what we're racing for"