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Women hit water with new coach

Emily Ford, who coached at Michigan before heading to OSU, will lead a strong returning class that looks to place at nationals

Sean McLean

Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: Sports
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The OSU women's rowing team has had to get used to a new coach and system this year, but the Beavers return eight seniors and 10 juniors and hope to crack the top 25 this spring.
Media Credit: Andrew Burton
The OSU women's rowing team has had to get used to a new coach and system this year, but the Beavers return eight seniors and 10 juniors and hope to crack the top 25 this spring.
The women's rowing program is taking this year to introduce Beaver Nation to a brand new first-year coach. On July 27, 2006, Oregon State athletic director Bob De Carolis made another big hire for the athletic program in appointing Emily Ford as the new head coach of the women's crew team. Taking over for long-time coach Charlie Owen, Ford brings a strong background to a program that's looking to return to the national picture this season.

"To build a foundation for this team is key and a good work ethic," said Ford, who previously coached at Michigan. "We have a lot of experience returning with a lot of juniors and seniors in the picture."

Although the Beavers started off last season in the top 25 rankings, they failed to qualify for the national championships. Experience, however, will be on Oregon State's side this spring with eight seniors and 10 juniors returning. The most notable is All-American Caroline Leibinger, who is one of just two rowers in the program's history to be on the varsity eight since her freshman year.

"She's awesome, she will definitely be a key to how we do this year," Ford said. "But there's a lot of other good talent surrounding her as well."

The Beavers have started the season strong with victories from both boats at the Elk Lake Spring Regatta in Victoria, Canada on March 3rd. The Novice 8 crew was in a tight race with University of Victoria before pulling away for the win. The JV 8 got out to a dominating start and never relinquished their lead. It was the perfect way for Leibinger and the team to start the new season.

"It was definitely a good racing experience and worked it out well for us," Leibinger said. "There is always room for improvement, but it definitely gives us some confidence which is good to have."

The women will next head south to California at the end of the month to compete in the San Diego Crew Classic.
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