Hoosiers ready for Big Ten Double Dual

The IU rowing team is in Ann Arbor, Mich. in preparation for Saturday’s Big Ten Double Dual.

Last weekend the Hoosier squad squared off against Georgetown and Kansas in its first home regatta of the spring season.  The Novice 8 and First Varsity 8 both finished on top in their respective races.  The team hopes to build upon that success this weekend when it meets No. 13 Michigan and Michigan State.

IU Coach Steve Peterson said that the team has been working hard all week and has tried to give itself and edge over the competition.

"Since our race against Kansas and Georgetown, we've continued to work on a lot of the race specifics - the start, the sprint, trying to really establish race rhythm that we want to have for our races," Peterson said. "I think one of the things that we're trying to do is finalize and really define what our lineups are going to be for the different boats. So it's been mostly focusing on those really specific type of aspects."

The Hoosiers are up against some stiff competition. 

The Wolverines won the Big Ten's boat of the week in the wake of its first two races of the regular season.  Michigan State has had 10 NCAA appearances in 11 seasons, along with three Big Ten Championships in the past five years.

Peterson said that the Hoosiers have their work cut out for them.

"This weekend we take on Michigan and Michigan State, which is going to be a great race," said Peterson. "Michigan, who was No. 2 in the NCAA's last year, is showing the same speed this year so we definitely expect a lot out of them and it's going to be a great gauge for us to see where we're at relative to some fast crews.

“Michigan State we saw in a fall scrimmage and they are fast, as well. I'm really hoping that if we have a good start and we establish our rhythm that we can row with them. The Big Ten, itself, this year is strong as usual. The Big Ten is the best in the country and we don't expect any easy races among this league."

The Hoosiers will kickoff the Big Ten Double Dual on Belleville Lake at 9:20 a.m. against Michigan. The afternoon session against Michigan State is scheduled to begin at 1:10 p.m.