Crew holds Lemon Head Regatta

Team chemistry, rigorous training and two successful races starting the season culminate this Saturday when the crew team plays host to the Lemon Head Regatta at Lake Lemon.\nIn only its second year of varsity status, crew has posted strong results in the first two races of the year. Senior co-captain Katy Ostertag said she is very upbeat about her team's current performance.\n"I am quite pleased with how well we have done so far this year," Ostertag said.\nAnd she might have every right to be. Oct. 7, IU's varsity eight rowed to a first place finish at the Inaugural Chicago Chase, the second varsity eight finished third. The team added to its accomplishments the following day at the Head of the Rock race in Rockford, Ill., by winning both the varsity four and the novice four races.\nJunior co-captain Joanna McCallister said she believes the team's chemistry has been vital to its early success.\n"We don't have any problems because everyone works together," McCallister said. "We all have fun, which is so important to us."\nCoach Mark Wilson said individual performances are rarely noted in rowing. He said there really couldn't be a "Michael Jordan of rowing," because the individual statistics are not emphasized.\n"It is the boat and the team of people that make things happen," Wilson said. "The boat can only go as fast as the eight people make it go."\nThe team will get a chance to row this weekend in front of a home crowd in the third annual Lemon Head Regatta. The race will showcase Lake Lemon, an improved facility that Wilson has deemed one of the great places to row in the Midwest. The regatta will offer racing from teams such as Louisville, Cincinnati and Marquette and could set the tone for the rest of the fall season.\n"Our main goal is to improve at each level of the competition," Wilson said. "And to improve at each race throughout the season"