Rivals bring tough competition

Preconceived notions can go a long way. \nIU rowing coach Steve Peterson should know. He once described his team as one that just won't quit or succumb to the title of underdog.\nWhen Peterson took the helm of IU's young program, he did not have high expectations for this year, but by now, those early thoughts have been shattered, especially by an undefeated Varsity 8 crew.\nSo far this spring, the team has raced and competed well against strong crews, but this weekend, the level of competition will be a step higher. Not only will the Hoosiers race against in-state rival Purdue, but also against ranked crews Notre Dame and Michigan State.\nNotre Dame is currently No. 17 in the polls and has gradually moved up in the rankings since the beginning of the season. Michigan State currently sits at the No. 10 spot and has quite a bit of racing experience against other nationally-ranked crews this season. \nPurdue, on the other hand, is a club program and does not have the same varsity status of the other teams that will be in this weekend's regatta. Peterson feels any varsity program should have the upper hand on a club team, but he also knows Purdue is not to be taken lightly.\nThe Hoosiers, however, are not intimidated.\n"We're excited for the challenge," junior co-captain Amanda Walker said. "I guess it's cool because we don't have any expectations because we have never raced against anyone like Michigan State, who is up in the polls."\nWalker feels the biggest key to success Saturday is to not change anything at all, to stay calm and to just row like the team has been this entire spring.\n"Our biggest thing will be not to over think (the races)," Walker said. "We can't get too nervous and just row like we know how to row and stay confident in our boat and not think about the other crews."\nThe race will be a 2,000-meter course at Eagle Creek Park in Indianapolis. The first race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., but IU's first race will be the Women's Novice 8 at 11:30 a.m.\nIU rowing will hold its final home regatta when it competes against Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin April 17. This will be the final regatta before the Big Ten championships.