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It is time for the Sacramento State rowing team to take abow.

While some sports are struggling to hold water, the rowing teamlooks poised for a successful year.

“We all have dedication in common, dedication to thesport,” senior Erika Bracy said.

It shows in the team’s actions as well as their words. Theladies often practice twice a day and on the weekends.

Even the cold and rain can’t keep them off the water.Saturday, the Hornets were out at practice at 7:00 a.m. in adownpour. Some of their legs were beat red and racked with achesand pains but they were all unfazed by the harsh environment andcontinued to work. out their strokes.

“The most important thing is teamwork,” junior SaraCrain said, adding that it is necessary for everyone be doing thesame thing at precisely the same time.

The women’s crew showcased their talents this fall withimpressive finishes at the Head of the American Regatta and theNewport Autumn Rowing Festival.

On Nov 2. at Newport, Sac State’s women took two of thetop five spots in the open eight competition that featured 25boats.

The varsity eight came in second to the University of SouthernCalifornia with a time of 16:52, 34 seconds behind USC. The secondvarsity eight garnered the fifth spot with a time of 17:21.

In their first competition of the fall, the varsity eightfinished fourth out of a 16-boat field at this year’s Head ofthe American competition that was won by the University ofCalifornia, Berkley.

Leading the team is the responsibility of head coach MikeConners who is in his second year with Sac State. He was formerlythe head coach of the UC Davis men’s team.

“Mike is really motivating,” coxswain ChristyClifton said. “He has helped a lot with the team.”

Conners said that barring any injuries, he sees this team beingvery competitive all year.

The Sac State crew has a beautiful new facility to call home atthe CSUS Aquatic Center located on beautiful Lake Natoma.

“It’s amazing being on the water and looking upafter you are done to see how beautiful it is.” Bracysaid.

The new facility has helped Sac State land home-court advantagefor many of the spring’s top races including the WIRAChampionships, the Pacific Coast Rowing Championships and thePacific 10 Championships.

The varsity eight is the benchmark in rowing. It is comprised ofeight rowers and one coxswain. The coxswain sits at the front ofthe boat to motivate her team, steer and make race calls.

Stroke timing affects the set (how the boat sits in the water),which affects power, which affects speed. Without a large degree ofteamwork, the whole system would falter.

After the coxswain , eight rowers are strategically placed formaximum speed.

The athlete with the best rowing technique usually sits in thestroke seat and the most powerful ladies row in the middle. Thelightest girls usually fall into the bow to keep the boat level inthe water.

Stephanie Brow, the stroke in the varsity eight, is also theteam co-captain along with Adelle Reimer.

For both races this fall, the Sac State varsity eight lineup hasbeen Clifton at coxswain, Brow at stroke, Laura Harder at seven,Jamie Weatherfield at six, Bracy at five, Brittney Claycamp atfour, Crain at three, Ashley Carl at two and Katie Litvinchuk atbow.

“I wouldn’t put a limit on (our success),”Bracy said. “We have girls that defy logic, they are sostrong and so powerful.”