Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Open Crew Hopes Depth, Competition Leads To Postseason Success
March 25, 2008 | Women's Rowing - Open
Senior captain Kristin Haraldsdottir is more than just the top rower in the Princeton open crew program. Along with senior coxswain Lizzie Agnew, she is the last remaining link to the magical 2006 squad that went unbeaten and routed the field at the NCAA Championships. Head coach Lori Dauphiny is hoping Haraldsdottir's attitude continues to strengthen the program as Princeton prepares for the 2008 season.
"Kristin is a real presence on the team," Dauphiny said. "She is a leader by example, and her work ethic would rank among the best we've had here. She is relentless and the best example on the team in terms of improving performance. I hope more follow in her footsteps."
There are plenty who will have the opportunity to follow Haraldsdottir's lead, as Dauphiny is striving to have greater depth within the program. As the NCAA puts greater emphasis on the team, as opposed to the first varsity eight, the ultra-successful Tiger head coach is looking to build strong 1V, 2V and varsity four squads this season.
"We lost a lot of seniors last season, so the makeup is different this year," Dauphiny said. "We have a large junior class, and we'll need them to help the seniors lead the team. We have all classes represented in our varsity eight, and now we're trying to develop chemistry."
After working on hard training and distance work in the fall, and then individual training in the winter, Dauphiny has used the spring to work on the specific boats for the upcoming season. After a miserable spring in 2007 left her with precious few training opportunities prior to the season, the weather has been significantly more helpful this season. Dauphiny and her staff was able to use the spring break trip to work on varying lineups, although both she and the team know that nothing is written in stone.
"The lineups do adjust through the season," she said. "You look at results on Saturdays and the way we train. We have a very competitive schedule, which helps you see where you stand, but you also look at who trains with tenacity and intensity during the week."
Fortunately, Dauphiny believes that the competitive intangibles are consistent within the program. She has seen a program that is driven to make the three varsity boats fast, and she believes that work ethic will drive the team throughout the next two months heading into Eastern Sprints and NCAAs. Women's rowing is a growing sport, so the competition both east and west has gotten stronger. That fact will keep Princeton's competitors on their toes as they fight to have the fastest teams for the postseason.
Brown is always one of Princeton's toughest Ivy competitors, and Brown and Michigan State will head to Princeton this weekend for a season-opening regatta at Lake Carnegie.