Women's Rowing Season Opens at Milwaukee Challenge
September 23, 2002 | Lightweight Rowing
The Badger women's openweight and lightweight rowing teams launched into their 2002-03 season Saturday at the second annual Milwaukee River Challenge on the Milwaukee River. It was the perfect day, sunny with temperatures in the 60s.
Both the openweight and lightweight teams competed in this unique event, a two-way race through the heart of downtown Milwaukee. The teams raced 2.2 miles one way before turning around and racing back to the start. Seven randomly mixed boats consisting of openweight and lightweight rowers as well as athletes of all abilities were entered in the race.
'Our team had two goals for this regatta. Both of them were in response to the fact that our team is undergoing a tremendous transition with combining the openweight and lightweight teams under one coaching staff,' said head coach Maren LaLiberty. 'I wanted everyone on the team to have a common memory of this first regatta. I wanted to each athlete to experience first-hand that their teammates were all working hard toward a common goal of creating a rowing powerhouse at Wisconsin. '
The teams began this year by concentrating on on technique and control instead of power. With an added emphasis on the recovery phase of the stroke, the rowers showed that they understand many factors that influence boat speed. 'All seven boats did a magnificent job,' LaLiberty said. 'I was really happy with what I saw during the race.'
Both Badger women's teams will spend the next three weeks practicing in preparation for their next event, the Head of the Rock. The event will take place October 13th on the Rock River in Rockford, Ill.
