The Wisconsin men's crew team closes out its fall season by traveling to Michigan Sunday to compete in the 2005 Heritage River Fall Classic Regatta.

The Badgers are coming off a stellar weekend in Iowa where the rowers won all six races they competed in at the Head of the Iowa.

"I thought it was a pretty successful trip," senior captain Ryan Larson said. "We're proving that we are one of the top teams in the Midwest."

Head coach Chris Clark is happy to see this year's team succeeding after the struggles of past years.

"This is the first time in three years that I felt we are moving in that other direction," Clark said.

The annual trip to Michigan has typically been an opportunity for the freshmen to get a chance to race and this year is no different. A few varsity members will make the trip, but the majority of the team will be first-year rowers.

"It's perfect for first-year guys (and) a great opportunity to gain some experience," Clark said.

A number of schools from the Midwest are scheduled to compete Sunday with the main competition coming from Grand Valley State and Northern Michigan. The University of Chicago, the Ann Arbor Rowing Club, and boat clubs from Detroit and Wyandotte are also scheduled for the same races as Wisconsin.

The Badgers will race in the novice men's four and eight and also in the open men's four and eight.

Even though it will be mostly freshmen racing Sunday, a drop-off in success is not expected.

"They are definitely a strong class," Larson said. "I think they will do just fine."

Clark is even more confident than his captain.

"I'm excited by this freshmen class," Clark said. "I expect them to win every race they enter Sunday."

Clark also thinks most of their competition should come from their own boats.

One freshman to keep an eye on this weekend is Peter Helfer. Clark compares him to former Badger football great Jim Leonhard in that Helfer is a lot smaller than your typical rower.

"He's just a killer," Clark said. "He makes the whole team better because the other guys don't want to get out-rowed by the little guy."

After this weekend the Badgers go into a five-month period with no competition. Clark wants to see the team close out the season with a strong performance.

"It's important, psychology's so important to these men," Clark said. "The more you win, the more you get used to it."