Men's crew has new coach, but returns 21 athletes
Former freshman coach Steve Todd takes over an experienced group that placed 14th at last year's national championships
Sean McLean
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Sports
After a 14th place finish at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championships last season, the Oregon State men's crew team will be guided under a new direction this season.
Looking to build on an impressive performance in 2006, new head coach Steve Todd will take over for predecessor Fred Honebein as the new rowing season has begun in Corvallis. The Beavers started off the 2007 campaign with a solid showing at the Elk Lake Spring Regatta in Victoria, Canada on March 3. The Varsity 8 squad finished fourth out of six teams, and ten seconds behind winning boat Victoria Training Center (A), who was victorious by five seconds over the next boat.
"I think we did okay, there was some first race jitters out there," Todd said. "We didn't get off to the best pace but overall I think we did okay."
For Todd, who previously was the freshman coach for four years at Oregon State, is optimistic that his varsity eight can have another strong season on a national scale.
"We definitely want to move a little higher up in our finish than last year," Todd said. "We're physically fit in our top eight and I've seen a lot of improvement with them."
The men's side returns a very experienced roster with 21 rowers back from last year and five that are in their fourth year. The program has been among the nation's elite in recent years, placing in the top ten in five of the last six seasons. With that fact in mind, the focus in 2007 will be to remain at that level.
"I think if we can be pretty consistent that we can improve on last season's success," Todd said. "We have some experienced upper classmen this year, and the training that you do leading up to it I think is important towards how you do."
The men will race next at the San Diego Crew Classic in California. The men will race in state just once, when they travel down to Lowell to take on Stanford at Dexter Lake on April 28.
Looking to build on an impressive performance in 2006, new head coach Steve Todd will take over for predecessor Fred Honebein as the new rowing season has begun in Corvallis. The Beavers started off the 2007 campaign with a solid showing at the Elk Lake Spring Regatta in Victoria, Canada on March 3. The Varsity 8 squad finished fourth out of six teams, and ten seconds behind winning boat Victoria Training Center (A), who was victorious by five seconds over the next boat.
"I think we did okay, there was some first race jitters out there," Todd said. "We didn't get off to the best pace but overall I think we did okay."
For Todd, who previously was the freshman coach for four years at Oregon State, is optimistic that his varsity eight can have another strong season on a national scale.
"We definitely want to move a little higher up in our finish than last year," Todd said. "We're physically fit in our top eight and I've seen a lot of improvement with them."
The men's side returns a very experienced roster with 21 rowers back from last year and five that are in their fourth year. The program has been among the nation's elite in recent years, placing in the top ten in five of the last six seasons. With that fact in mind, the focus in 2007 will be to remain at that level.
"I think if we can be pretty consistent that we can improve on last season's success," Todd said. "We have some experienced upper classmen this year, and the training that you do leading up to it I think is important towards how you do."
The men will race next at the San Diego Crew Classic in California. The men will race in state just once, when they travel down to Lowell to take on Stanford at Dexter Lake on April 28.
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