Feb. 17, 2005

LEWISBURG, Pa. - For the sixth consecutive year the women's rowing program headed south for a two-week winter training trip last month. In previous years the team has traveled to Austin, Texas, and Augusta, Ga., but this year's destination was Miami Beach, Fla. It was the third consecutive year the Bison ventured to South Florida.

Close to 40 women traveled to Miami for the training trip, which featured three practices a day, including two on the water and one in the weight room. In addition to practicing and preparing for practice, the team was able to enjoy the sights of Miami Beach.

"Rowing during January is priceless," said head coach Stephen Kish. "For the past three years, I have come out of the winter trip thinking it was the best one to date. This year was no different."

Since returning to campus at the start of the semester, the team has been working hard on land.

"Land training shows who is tough. There is nothing easy about it," says Kish.

The "toughness training" culminates Sunday, Feb. 27, with Bucknell's ninth annual Erg Armageddon, which features rowers competing for 2,000 meters on the Concept II Rowing machine. Bucknell's women typically fare well against the competition, but the true test is against themselves.

"The goal is to row your fastest time of the year," says first-year assistant coach Vi Ngo, herself a two-time medalist at the event during her time as a student-athlete.

Meanwhile, the team is planning to hit the water for the first time Feb. 19. With the spring season around the corner, every practice on the water makes a difference.

"Every practice we can get before spring break is a bonus," explains head novice coach Katie Davis.

For spring break the team will head to Elberton, Ga., for perhaps the most important week of the year. There, the team will endure an intense eight-day training camp in which the rowers will train three times a day. Most importantly, it is the time when rowers "make the boat".

"The varsity eight is the premiere event. Spring break is the last opportunity for each rower to show that she is fast enough to be in the top eight," comments Ngo.

Bucknell women's rowing has experienced a five-year explosion of success, including a fourth-place national ranking for the lightweight varsity eight in 2003. In addition, the Bison have traveled to England for the Henley Women's Regatta in 2000 and 2004, reaching the "final four" both times.

This season is particularly special as it is the first year that women's rowing is an official Patriot League sport, joining 22 other sports on campus that contribute to the Presidents' Cup standings. Bucknell has won the Patriot League Presidents' Cup 11 of the past 14 years.

Bucknell opens its 2005 spring slate with the Murphy Cup March 26. That event is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. in Philadelphia, Pa.