After a strong fall season where the rowing team saw multiple first- and second-place finishes, the squads spent spring break racing in a series of exhibitions to prepare for the upcoming season.
The result? Having competed in scrimmage races at Oakridge, Tenn., and Morgantown, W. Va., it is clear why the women are expected to bring home one of their best seasons yet.
"It was our first venture to Oakridge and we were very pleased with the way things went," said head coach Rudy Wieler. "We didn't miss a day on the water because of weather or wind or anything else, and we saw some really good improvements in all the crews in terms of their technique and just getting used to being on the water again."
A total of 45 Buffalo rowers arrived in Oakridge on March 10, accounting for two Varsity 8 heavyweight crews, two freshman novice heavyweight crews and one lightweight crew. The women started training twice a day the following morning, with formal scrimmage matches scheduled for last Tuesday, the following Friday, and Sunday.
Tuesday consisted of 16 races involving Louisville and Tulsa in Cox 4 boats on a 1,000-meter course. Although Buffalo raced well, finishing second in nine out of the 16 races, Louisville swept the first-place spot in all 16 contests.
Buffalo lost almost no races for the rest of the week as Friday brought a rematch against Tulsa and competition against New Hampshire in two 1,500-meter races. Competing with two Varsity 8 crews, one novice crew, and one lightweight crew, the Buffalo women rowed their way into the first- and second-place spot in all races.
"Normally, we would race 2,000 meters," Wieler said. "However, all the coaches agreed that for this time of the year, instead of racing one race or two times 2K, the best way to get the most results would be to race two times at 1,500 meters."
Aside from being the only race all week that consisted of all Division I teams, Wieler went on to explain that this win showed how well Buffalo's second varsity crew can be, almost beating the first varsity crew. He said that it was a good demonstration of depth for the overall team.
Before returning to school, Buffalo traveled to Morgantown on Saturday to prepare for competition the following day. On Sunday, competition began between West Virginia's varsity crew and both of Buffalo's varsity crews.
"Instead of racing over distance, this time we raced over a time in four minute pieces," Wieler said. "Our varsity won four pieces, our second varsity won one, and in three of the five races, West Virginia placed third. Once again, very good results for us."
The novice crew, also in action on Sunday, raced against West Virginia's second Varsity crew, winning all four pieces decisively. While the final scrimmage consisted of four pieces between Buffalo's lightweight crew and West Virginia's 2nd Varsity, where each crew won two races.
In the spring season, Buffalo can look forward to its toughest schedule to date, including future challenges against University of Massachusetts, Colgate, and Rhode Island, who are ranked in the Metro Championships No. 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
"We raced UMass in the fall and we beat them this year for the first time," Wieler said. "In fact, we raced Colgate, UMass and Rhode Island in the fall and we beat them all, but that doesn't mean it will be the same in the spring."
Wieler continued to explain how far the rowing team has come in such a short amount of time, also adding that the women on the novice crew show promise for future crews despite their youth.
"When we started here four years ago, we were ranked 83 out of 87," Wieler said. "We are now ranked in the top 40, and if this is an indicator, we could move up this year."
With the each of the spring break scrimmages providing some insight towards Buffalo's crews for the spring season, Buffalo has much to look forward to in its next contest at the Knecht Cup in Cadmen, N.J. from April 8-9.
