The transition from a club-level sport to a varsity sport has run pretty smoothly so far for the Michigan women's crew team. Not only has the team acquired improved facilities and more school support, but it has also performed extremely well.
"They've been training extra hard this year, and they have shown a lot of maturity," Michigan coach Mark Rothstein said. "They've had a great work ethic, which has been pretty steady throughout the fall. I think that they have improved each week."
The team attributes a lot of its success to regular weight training and fewer outside worries.
"We've had great academic and medical support from the Athletic Department," Rothstein said. "This support has allowed the athletes to focus on training hard with less peripheral issues to deal with, such as fund-raising.
"If someone gets injured, she can go to the trainer, as opposed to waiting to see her own doctor," Rothstein said. "The athletes are also able to go to study table. They set high standards for themselves, both in the classroom and in training."
As the fall season has progressed, Nazema Siddiqui, a senior coxswain and four-year team member, has emerged as a leader.
"Nazema exemplifies the kind of kid you want in your program; she is a great leader and has a great attitude," Rothstein said. "She's always encouraging her teammates. She takes her role well. She's tough on the rowers when needed, because they respect her abilities. Several people on the team provide leadership by example. It's a really good group."
The leadership role is one that Siddiqui enjoys.
"I've been a part of the team's growth from club to varsity," Siddiqui said. "I like having people coming to me, if they have problems. The coxswain is the natural leader, because she has to take care of things the rest of the team doesn't think about."
The team's new-found varsity support has been an inspiration for the rowers. According to Stawski, the team's competitors remain the same. The only difference at the meets is the increased level of achievement and competitiveness.
"The change has been nothing but positive," rower Jeannette Stawski said. "Everyone is raring to go. There is a lot of energy and enthusiasm that's getting tapped into. It's hard not to feel anything but good, when everyone is pulling for you."
One aspect of being a varsity sport that was extremely new to the this year's team was recruiting. It worked out well, however, largely due to the behavior of the team.
"We're getting a lot of good recruits," Rothstein said. "We have a very enthusiastic, classy group. When recruits come in, I think it's very appealing."
Michigan gained many motivated, new rowers by holding tryouts this year, Rothstein said.
The Wolverines look forward to both the challenge of fierce competition and to winning expectations. They are going to be a tough team to compete against.
"Michigan will no longer be viewed as an underdog because of the advantages we're getting now," Siddiqui said. "We're going to be viewed as the team to beat, and along with that comes the pressure of being the team to beat."
Although they have performed well during the fall season, the Wolverines say it is due to preparation, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication. The Wolverines look forward to a successful spring season.
"We are continuing to improve and have put ourselves in a position to be very fast this spring," Rothstein said. "We still have a long way to go, and we still have winter training before our first spring race in late March."
The Wolverines are in control of their own destiny. They believe they will perform at a high level by working together.
"Doing well is ours for the taking; we are ready to move water and win some races," Stawski said. "We've gained a lot of trust in each other. It's exciting to look into everyone's eyes and see how hard we're working now. It's all going to pay off."
FILE PHOTO/Daily
The Michigan crew team was elevated from club to varsity status after the University signed a $7 million contract with Nike in 1994. The newest Wolverines have benefitted from scholarships and Athletic Department funding.