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Physical and Spiritual Strength Needed in Rowing
CHICAGO, IL (October 13, 2005) - Spiritual as well as physical strength has
helped the North Park University rowing team carry over its winning ways
from last spring to this fall, says coach Tim Grant.
North Park's women's varsity 8 crew won their first gold medal in the
team's history this past Saturday at the Quad Cities Classic in Moline,
Illinois. The crew defeated Division I rivals Drake University and three
other crews by a convincing 19-second margin. The women's varsity 4 crew
also rowed to a gold medal, defeating nine opposing crews including two
Wheaton boats, two Drake boats, Missouri, Iowa State and Augustana. Both
teams finished second in North Park's first regatta, the prior weekend.
"We've had a lot of healthy competition among the women to be in the
varsity four. It's a new lineup. I really don't think of it as
rebuilding as much as reloading," commented Grant.
The novice 8 boat finished second of seven crews this past weekend and
easily won its first ever meet at the regatta. Novice participants are
those who are racing collegiate for the first time.
The fall season is different from the spring in several respects. The
fall season is brief, with teams racing only over two weekends. The
races also stretch 2.5 to three miles, so they are more of an endurance
contest. Boats also race single file against the clock, rather than
against each other. In the spring, the boats cover a distance of about
1.25 miles and race against each other.
"The fall season for rowing includes only one week of racing, but it
provides an excellent opportunity to introduce novice rowers to the
rigors of the sport as well as helping veterans to get back their
rhythm," Grant says.
The Viking teams are building on a short but stunning history. Two years
ago, the novice 8 team surprised the rowing world when they won the Dad
Vail Regatta, one of the premier events in the country. Last year, the
same team took second place against other, more experienced teams.
Grant admits, "You have to be a little off your rocker to participate in
this sport." For evidence, he points to the early morning practices in
the dark that sometimes must be held even when the temperature is below
freezing.
Grant believes the women's Christian commitment has helped them to
weather the practices, workouts and races. "Since day one we have had a
very strong Christian ethos on our team," Grant says. "To me it has made
my job a lot easier to have a team like this. What we do, we do in the
name of God."
"As an athletic team, we take seriously that we are representing a
Christian school," Grant says. "We take time out to remember that we are
blessed with the abilities to do this."
Recruiting has gotten much easier since Grant started the program three
years ago. There's nothing like success to attract potential
participants. "It has helped tremendously," Grant says. In his first
year of recruiting, Grant received only a handful or responses
demonstrating interest. This year, he received 80.
Developing a database of potential rowers is extra difficult because
only a few high schools have teams. Grant says roughly 90 percent of
potential rowers he contacts have never participated in the sport.
Making the recruiting job even more difficult is the ability of larger
schools to attract experienced rowers. Those schools are able to offer
scholarships and practices throughout the year. Division III is limited
to 19 weeks in a year and no scholarships.
Even though he has several strikes against him when recruiting, Grant
emphasizes to students that North Park is a Christian school - even if
it may lead a prospect to choose another school. The team's faith
commitment helps it to work together and through differences, he adds.
"We have a very disciplined group - a group that comes together very
nicely, Grant says." The women have a tremendous pride in rowing for
North Park."
Members of the women's varsity 8 crew include Annika Safstrom, Alli
Koubsky, Kari Anderson, Kelly Burke, Jenna Stromquist, Heidi Rosasen,
Amanda Donnelly, Becky Burright and coxswain Erikka Treatch.
Members of the varsity 4+ boat are Annika Safstrom, Alli Koubsky, Kari
Anderson, Heidi Rosasen and Erikka Treatch.
Members of the second varsity 4 team include Amanda Donnelly, Heidi
Rosasen, Heather Sowl, Becky Burright and coxswain Linnea Nelson.
The women's novice 8 crew has consisted of Lauren Harrison, Kristen
Engebretson, Britta Haussman, Rosalina Cintron, Marlise King, Stephanie
Feijoo, Heidi Bronczyk, Tia Gomez and coxswain Jill Ptaszyski.
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