The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed Oregon State's varsity 8+ boat rows down the Willamette River during a practice on Tuesday. Both OSU's men and women's rowing teams compete at the University of Victoria on Saturday.

The Oregon State men's crew team is happy that the season is finally here. After months of rigorous practice and intense workouts, the Beavers are ready to take to the water this weekend in Victoria, British Columbia.

The Beavers enter this season with extremely high hopes and even higher expectations for success in the 2009 season. Head coach Steve Todd doesn't see any reason why OSU shouldn't be in the IRA Championships for the 15th consecutive season.

"We have a good group of returning guys paired with solid underclassmen that look to make for a very strong varsity 8+ boat," Todd said.

A strong group of varsity returners is highlighted by seniors Beth Olsen, Ian George, Jon Young and junior Mike Buckiewicz, all of whom spent the entire previous season on the varsity crew that finished No. 15 in the nation. Senior Will Gustafson and junior Bronson Shafer will also bring the varsity experience they have gained throughout their careers.

This season will prove to be very tough for the Beavers, as they don't have any regattas at home and will be forced to travel every time they compete. Not only is the Pac-10 extremely strong, but Oregon State will also be facing some of the toughest teams across the nation, including Wisconsin, who was last year's top-ranked team.

The Beavers will not compete on consecutive weeks at any point in the season. Coach Todd is hoping that he will be able to incorporate a well-balanced practice schedule with the beneficial week-on, week-off regatta schedule; he is also excited about the strong teams the Beavers will face this season.

"We have a couple fewer competitions than the typical schedule, but the competition will be very tough," Todd said.

The Beavers have worked hard this season in preparation, as Todd runs a very tough practice in which he always expects his team to stay focused on what's going on in the boat so that each team can improve every day.

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