Endurance, drive and dedication — those are the three words the women’s crew team uses to describe its sport. It takes physical endurance to propel the boat through the water, drive to be able to go on when every muscle in their bodies ache and dedication to push, day in and day out, through workouts and practices.
All of it is so that the team can improve upon last season’s disappointing finish.
"Obviously we did not qualify for the national championships last year, and it was a crew that was good enough to do it," head coach Bebe Bryans said. "So it was disappointing for us, but it’s given us a good kick in the [right direction]."
Bryan is not the only one who has high expectations for this team; the girls do as well.
"I have really high goals for this team," senior captain Shayla Dvorak said. "I think that just getting to that next level [is important]. We’ve been in the top boats or finishes as a team for centrals for all of the years that I have been on the team. So I think getting to that next level and winning centrals would be an awesome step for us.
"We usually take second or third, so that’s one of the first goals, and then just making it to NCAAs and finishing better than we ever have is the next goal."
Much of last season’s team is returning, giving the Badgers a leg up compared to years past.
"This is an exciting year for us because it’s the fourth year that have our staff together and have been working together," Bryans said. "Were excited for the prospects this class has."
So far the season is going exactly as planned. Both the open weights and lightweights placed first overall at the Head of the Rock Regatta Oct. 7 in Rockford, Ill.
With Novice Racing versus Minnesota and The Head of the Iowa two meets coming up –Novice Racing versus Minnesota Saturday in Madison and The Head of the Iowa Oct. 28 in Iowa City, Iowa — Bryans’ rowers will be given an opportunity to continue their early season success.
The reason why this year has gotten off to such a good start — beyond the experience factor — is that each class has something to offer. According to Bryans, the senior leadership on the team is "awesome" and figures it will be key to whether this season is a success.
"Our captains are both really strong athletes," Bryans said. "Stephanie Koepp was in the varsity last year. She’s just a really cool, calm, extremely competitive person — a great influence in the boat. Shayla (Dvorak) has a lot of experience. She’s been to every national championship except for the one we didn’t qualify for last year."
The team also has a couple of really strong juniors. Two who jump out are Theresa Shields, who has been on varsity since she was a freshman, and Katie Helmrick.
"[Katie] is our top rower on land right now, so we just have to get that to transfer to the water a little bit better," Bryans said.
But the real excitement, according to Bryans, lies in the sophomore class. Sarah Bootsma and Grace Latz have made the jump to varsity from the JV squad last year.
"The sophomore class is just kicking, they’re awesome … athletic, fun, sort of limitless," she said. "So they have really added a lot of fire and enthusiasm to the team."
On top of the talent is a committed group of individuals who practice six days a week, including double sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and a longer more strenuous practice on Saturday. Bryans described it as a "grueling endeavor" and junior Maggie Galloway couldn’t agree more.
"[Rowing] is a sport people don’t know much about, but it would be nice if people understood the amount of work that goes into it every day," Galloway said.
Naturally, each hard-working class offers something different to the team, but together they will help to bring what Bryans and the rowers hope to be a season characterized by success. The staff and rowers alike are excited for what this season holds and hope they can show their talent Saturday and in meets to come.
