Princeton University Athletics
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Princeton Open Crew To Begin 2007 Season With Hope, Questions
March 20, 2007 | Women's Rowing - Open
Coming off one of the most magical seasons in the tradition-rich history of Princeton crew, women's open coach Lori Dauphiny is not about to lower the goals of her successful program. She knows there is still talent on her roster, including four rowers who sat on the 2006 NCAA grand champion Princeton varsity eight. She also understands that while she tinkers with the lineup, the rowers will need to improve together and peak at the right time to reach their lofty goals.
Based on its 2006 national title, Princeton enters the 2007 season ranked atop the US Rowing coaches poll. The Tigers were undefeated last season and cruised to both the Eastern and NCAA title, but they said goodbye to six members of the varsity eight when graduation day rolled around.
"We had a fairly good fall," Dauphiny said. "We were the top college crew in the Head of the Charles, but then we came back and lost the Princeton Chase the next weekend. That's kind of our story right now. We definitely have potential, but we'll need to get consistent."
Dauphiny can count on several members of last year's national championship boat to help with that consistency. Seniors Carrie Kruse, who will serve as the 2007 captain, and Gevvie Stone join junior Kristin Haraldsdottir as members of that historic boat.
"Carrie is a fairly vocal captain," Dauphiny said. "She is committed and dedicated. They understand that the expectations are still high, but the challenge will be how we deal with adversity. We're going to have to roll with the punches this year."
The adversity could come early, as Princeton has not been able to train on Lake Carnegie as often as Dauphiny hoped because of the winter conditions. She will be incorporating a sophomore class that won the Eastern Sprints novice gold medal in 2006 into a mix of talented juniors and seniors looking to earn spots in the top boats. The first competition of the 2007 season will come this weekend, when Princeton hosts both No. 6 Ohio State and No. 5 Brown Saturday morning. The Bears are one of the early Ivy League favorites, although Dauphiny thinks it could be a deep, tough Ivy field this year.
"Both Brown and Yale will be quick this year," she said. "Harvard is always strong and Dartmouth has a number of seniors this season. Every week will be a challenge, but I think if you took an early poll in the league, Brown and Yale might come out on top. It's terrifying that we have to start our season out against the best."
But it will also serve as an early measuring stick for Dauphiny and her talented squad, both of which know it's far more important how you end than how you begin. And if they need further reminder, they need only look at the newest additions inside their own trophy case.
SATURDAY RACE SCHEDULE
9:00 - First Novice
9:15- Third Varsity B
9:30- Third Varsity A
9:45- Second Varsity
10:00- First Varsity