All-greek row mixes returning riders with rookies

The all-greek Row 5 features teams with a mixture of returning riders and rookies. Delta Tau Delta is the favorite to emerge out of this group, but a confident Sigma Nu team could slide to the top. Kappa Sigma has a third-year rider to share his experience with a young team.\nDelta Tau Delta (2:40.57)\nAs a team composed of three second-year riders and one rookie, experience could carry Delta Tau Delta to the top of the pack. \nThe Delts squad pushed its nerves to the brink during qualifications, where it finished in 2 minutes, 40.57 seconds on its third attempt. Despite not placing as high as junior captain Ryan Tolle thought the team had potential to, Tolle is using qualifications as a team motivator.\n"By qualifying 13th when we were practically walking our exchanges shows we are a strong team," Tolle said.\nThe depth of the team comes from junior Brad Agler and sophomore Sean Thornton. Agler, who placed eighth in the individual time trials, is the team's top sprinter, while Thornton and Tolle will set the pace with their endurance. Tolle said he was surprised with the early improvements of rookie Ben Romison.\nWith three riders from last year's sixth-place team, Delta Tau Delta could move up early and be a contender. \nSigma Nu (2:42.40)\nTwo senior returning riders and two sophomore rookies will attempt to improve on Sigma Nu's 23rd place finish last year. \nSenior captain Tyler Mensch will lead the team, while senior Ryan Greulich will need a strong performance for the team to finish near the top. Aiding these two will be sophomore rookies Chris Labelle and Chris Brady. \nConfidence will determine the impact the rookies will make, Brady said. He has benefited from Mensch and Greulich's experience throughout training.\nBrady said the rookies have been putting in extra time on the rollers to maintain the balance of the team. Mensch is expected to set the pace for the team at the start, and Sigma Nu has a chance to move up early in the race, Brady said. \n"I think we are going to do our best to avoid the wrecks," Brady said. "Our goal is to stay in the upper third of the teams throughout the race."\nKappa Sigma (2:43.25)\nTwo raw rookies, a young returning rider and an ambitious veteran will carry the victory dreams of the Kappa Sigma squad.\nSenior captain David Hawkins will test the cinder for a third year alongside second-year sophomore rider Jason Shaw and first-year riders, sophomores Ivan Stepanov and Andrew Carter. \nReturning from a 20th place finish in the 2000 race, Kappa Sigma qualified on its first try, which was unusual in the conditions on qualification day. Originally discouraged by his team's time, Hawkins said he was later pleased with a top 15 position. \nHawkins said Carter is a solid rider who is too often a timid competitor.\n"As long as he has his confidence he can be productive and not just a typical rookie," Hawkins said. "We are looking for some good things from him."\nHawkins will set the tone for this year's team and has established himself as the dominant rider.\n"Because of my experience, I am the leader and the strongest rider," he said. "I know how to stay in the pack"