Women's crew team begins spring season

After a four-month break, the women's crew team begins its spring season Sunday at Lake Lemon against Louisville. The Cardinals and Hoosiers will take to the water at 10 a.m.\nThe Hoosiers are in their second season as a varsity sport and returned this week from what coach Mark Wilson called a "very productive" spring break. \nLouisville is also in its second season as a varsity sport and had a successful season last year, Wilson said. The Cardinals finished their spring training with a dual race against Duke Saturday, with the best finish coming from the varsity 8 squad, which finished second of three teams. The Cardinals' varsity 4 team placed fourth of four teams, and the novice 8 placed last of eight teams.\nIU has only four seniors and four juniors on a team of more than 40 rowers, but is led by captains sophomore Amy Roble and junior Joanna McCallister.\nThe contest will mark the first official 2000-meter race on Lake Lemon. \n"Everyone is excited about the opportunity to race on the home course at Lake Lemon," Wilson said. "We have been working hard to get our race course ready and with the cooperation of the Lake Lemon Conservancy, we have developed a great site."\nWilson has set goals for the season's initial meet and credits his team's preseason work ethic. The Hoosiers haven't raced since October, when they took part in five competitions. \n"The team has been working hard, and we are getting prepared for some higher rating strokes and good starts," he said. "But, at this time of year, we want to be strong through the water and have our coxswains go straight. That will be the goal for the day"