Crew could be frozen out of upcoming meet

"Relentless pursuit."

The motto of the women's rowing team sends a clear message: hard work and determination will enable it to get past any obstacle.

Unless, of course, that obstacle happens to be some big ol' chunks of ice.

The site of this weekend's season-opening meet at Michigan State is currently covered with a sheet of ice - and it's going to take more than a heated school rivalry to melt it in time for Saturday's regatta.

"We're hoping that this warm weather will help - we won't really know until Friday if there will be a race - we might end up doing some shorter scrimmages if we can't have an official meet," said coach Mark Rothstein.

COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES Unless the ice that covers the site of their Saturday meet melts soon, the Michigan crew could face a problem of Titanic proportions if it attempts to navigate the icy waters.

Maybe the Spartans should cross their fingers and hope their lake stays frozen, or they might find themselves in hot water.

After all, the Wolverines finished fifth in the nation last year and were ranked an impressive third in the United States' Rowing Preseason Collegiate Coaches' Polls.

In that poll, the Wolverines finished behind established rowing powerhouses Washington and Virginia.

Not too shabby for a team that received official varsity status just three years ago and spent the past winter practicing on ergometers in Michigan Stadium's unheated visitors' locker room.

The team has been preparing for its season opener since last fall.

During a rigorous spring break in the Tampa Bay Channels, the Wolverines recorded times that were "faster than ever before," said co-captain Michelle Wolbit.

The team's drive, work ethic and sheer grit have earned them status as formidable competitors on the national scene.

But don't expect that to scare Michigan State.

The Spartans aren't wimps - they are known best for their physical strength and speed, which tends to be helpful in rowing.

During their first year as a varsity team, the Spartans sent a boat to nationals that finished ninth.

Receiving varsity status only one year after Michigan, the Spartans and the Wolverines both have young teams - yet they demonstrate impressive maturity and depth in their rowing.

Still "it's an early race - qualifying for nationals is a long time away," said Rothstein.

Not that he tries to downplay the importance of the meet between the state rivals, especially when the Wolverines and Spartans are such up-and-coming forces in the actual sport itself.

"Anytime you race Michigan State, it's important," Rothstein said. "We want to establish ourselves as the top program in the state."

03-18-99