W. Crew heads to Schuylkill

The Penn women's crew team is less than intimidated by the miles of Schuylkill river that will serve as its home court this upcoming weekend.

In fact, the Quakers are more than ready to begin the spring season, having spent all of the winter training in preparation for the upcoming weekend's events.

On Saturday, the Red and Blue take on Navy and Georgetown in their only home regatta of the spring 2002 season.

"Obviously, with the first race, you're always kind of nervous about it," Penn senior Kate Peretti said. "I'm really just more excited than anything else. I think we have a really solid team this year."

On Saturday, the Quakers will race three boats, not including the novice squads.

The top boat will have eight rowers, as well as the second. The team's third crew will be comprised of four rowers.

"All three boats that we have are very competitive," Peretti said. "There be a lot of shifting I think that's really good and makes everyone a lot more competitive and makes both boasts stronger. All of our boats are going to be competitive."

The Quakers enter this weekend with a new foudn competitiveness that results from hard work and determination.

Under the leadership of head coach Barbara Kirch, Penn has reevaluated its goals for the season.

"I feel pretty confident," Penn sophomore Mary Murphy. "I feel like as a whole team we stepped up the intensity this year. Our coach expects us to do a lot better than we have in the past."

Navy and Georgetown, according to the team, may not pose any real challenge this weekend, but will serve as a useful segue into the more difficult meets of the season.

"We have al ot of confidence goign into this weekend," Peretti said. "Last year they were pretty easily defeated."

Although victory this weekend is expected, it is just one step for the Quakers towards their ultimate goal of an NCAA championship bid.

"Its our only race at home," Murphy said. "For the seniors its a pretty big deal and we've been working hard. The expectations are a lot higher. We've taken it up a notch since the last season."

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