2015-16 Season Preview: Rowing
1/27/2016 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Jan. 27, 2016
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2015-16 OUTLOOK
The University of Michigan rowing team enters its 20th season of existence in 2016, all under the guidance of head coach Mark Rothstein. A young Wolverines squad qualified for the NCAA Rowing Championships for the 16th time in Rothstein's tenure in 2015, finishing 10th overall -- Michigan's 15th top-10 at the NCAA regatta. Michigan's NCAA finish followed a second-place showing at the Big Ten Rowing Championships, highlighted by the 2V8's individual boat title. With just four seniors gone from last year's roster, the Wolverines are poised for a big year this season, led by another small senior class of two: captain Adena Coste and coxswain Emma Knorps.
Eighteen of 23 student-athletes who competed at the 2015 NCAA Rowing Championships will return in 2016, and a talented freshman class will be in the mix for spots on the Wolverines' competition boat rosters. Michigan is looking to make another run as one of the elite programs in Division I rowing.
"It's a really interesting team in that we only have two seniors, which is the smallest senior group we've ever had. But they're two excellent seniors," Rothstein said.
"I really like the work that the whole team has done. They're training in a really mature way with a great deal of effort. I've been really impressed with the team so far. I think as a group the freshmen going to make a major, major contribution to our team this season."
A mild fall allowed Michigan to train on the water longer than usual on its home course at Belleville Lake in Van Buren Township. The Wolverines raced against rivals Michigan State (Sept. 20) and Ohio State (Oct. 4) in different formats. The first competition against the Spartans consisted of eights only racing in four-minute long pieces, while the regatta against the Buckeyes included both eights and fours with an expanded course of 3,000 meters. In the penultimate fall regatta, Michigan sent two varsity eights to the Head of the Charles in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Oct. 18, a challenging course that requires navigating several turns and bridges. Michigan's 1V8 crew finished in seventh place, while the 2V8 placed 14th, a strong showing to cap off 2015 for the Wolverines.
"Our performance was solid, but I think the biggest thing that we took was that we have a pretty deep team right now," Coste said. "There are a lot of people that didn't go to the Head of the Charles that very well could have."
Junior Louisa Freeman, an All-Big Ten second team selection, and sophomore Kendall Brewer, a U23 USRowing National Team selection (quadruple sculls) for the U23 World Rowing Championships this past summer, will anchor Michigan's 1V8 squad. Juniors Sarah Hudnall, Kaitlin Wright and Tessa Yurko along with sophomore Felicity Cain all were members of Michigan's 1V8 at NCAA's as well and will continue to have large roles in 2016.
"It's too early to make any determinations on boat lineups, but I've given it some thought," Rothstein said. "I think our junior class is really coming into its own. A lot of them are much better rowers and much better developed athletes than they were when they came here. That group is starting to get fast, and their leadership has been important as well as our seniors. They'll be a big key to our season."
Michigan will hit the water on Belleville Lake earlier than usual if the weather continues to cooperate in preparation for its first regatta of the season on March 12-13 at the Oak Ridge Invitational in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
STUDENT-ATHLETE TO WATCH
Adena Coste, Senior -- Senior Adena Coste, a native of Woodbridge, Connecticut, will serve as Michigan's lone captain this season, a rarity in Coach Rothstein's tenure at U-M. Coste, a member of U-M's winning 2V8 crew at the 2015 Big Ten Rowing Championships, rowed mainly on fours in her two seasons at Michigan before solidifying a spot on the 2V8 crew in 2014-15.
"It's really been a positive for her as she's been able to set an excellent tone. It's really helped with our team's development to have her leadership," Rothstein said.
KEY COMPETITION
Saturday, April 2 -- vs. Virginia, Clemson (Columbus, Ohio)
Michigan gets an early look two of the ACC's best crews in Virginia and Clemson at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge dual on April 2. Virginia finished fifth at the 2015 NCAA Rowing Championships, while Clemson took fifth place at the ACC Rowing Championships. Michigan raced against both crews in 2015 in Charlottesville, Virginia, with its 1V8 crew earning wins in both races, including an exciting .13-second margin against the Cavaliers. The Wolverines will also keep an eye on dual partner Ohio State, the reigning Big Ten and NCAA Rowing champion.
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Mark Rothstein
On having a young team that has experienced Big Ten and NCAA Tournament success ... "It's nice having a bunch of athletes that have raced a couple of times at NCAAs. I think that definitely helps when we're working to get back there and hoping to do well."
2014-15 RECAP
A young Wolverines squad qualified for the NCAA Rowing Championships for the 16th time in Rothstein's tenure in 2015, finishing 10th overall -- Michigan's 15th top-10 at the NCAA regatta. Michigan's NCAA finish followed a second place showing at the Big Ten Rowing Championships, highlighted by the 2V8's individual boat title. Michigan finished the season with two Pocock All-Americans (Jessica Eiffert, first team; Alex Spaulding, second team) and four All-Big Ten selections (Jessica Eiffert, Alex Spaulding - first team; Hannah Sherman, Louisa Freeman - second team).
Players Mentioned
