March 23, 2007

UD Head Coach Mike Farrey believes in the carryover effect.

After a strong fall season, progress made during the winter and a strong group of rowers returning, the Dayton Flyers open up the 2007 spring campaign with high hopes.

It all starts Saturday as Dayton battles the Duquesne Dukes in a dual meet starting at 9 a.m. EST. The race will be held at the University of Dayton boathouse located at the Eastwood Metropark.

For the Flyers and Farrey, the opener is more than a meet, but a sneak preview of who will represent the team at the end of the year in the Atlantic 10 Rowing Championship.

"We had a very strong indoor winter season on the rowing machines and hopefully that carries over to better in-season conditioning," Farrey said. "We just returned from Spring Break where we scrimmaged four teams with different lineups for each boat in every scrimmage. We are narrowing down what our best lineups are to put ourselves in the best position at the Atlantic 10 regatta."

Typically over Spring Break the Flyers have to take a practice off or two due to weather or fatigue. This year UD caught a break practicing twice a day because of a combination of great individual attitudes, improved conditioning and a mild winter.

One of the groups to watch for in the Duquesne meet is the Lightweight 8. In 2006 the Lightweight 8 finished sixth in the nation in the U.S. Rowing Coaches Poll and at the IRA National Championships.

While the Lightweight 8 also defended its Atlantic 10 Championship last year, the Varsity 8 and 2nd Varsity 8 made strong improvements as well medaling in events last spring.

Those strong showings last year have Farrey optimistic about the possibilities for not only the Duquesne meet, but the spring 2007 campaign.

"Our lightweight 8 in the past couple years has been quick, but we also have been picking up speed in the open boats as well," said Farrey. "Last year we placed in the Top 3 at A-10's in the Varsity 8, 2nd Varsity 8, and Lightweight 8. At UD it was the 2nd highest placing for the Varsity 8 and the highest placing the 2nd Varsity has finished."

Saturday's opener is the first of seven meets for the Flyers. With weather conditions expected to be in the high 50s to low 60s, the Flyers couldn't be more prepared or enthusiastic to square off against Duquesne.

"I think the team members are ready to race," Farrey said. "In the fall and winter months, in the back of your mind you think of spring racing, so it's nice to finally be here. I think the women are ready to push themselves and reap the fruits of the work we have been putting in all year."

Dual Meet - Duquesne Eastwood Metropark 1385 Harshman Rd- in Dayton, Ohio

Saturday's Race Schedule:  9 a.m.: Lightweight 4's - UD, DUQ A, DUQ B  9:15 a.m.: Varsity 4's - UD, DUQ  9:30 a.m.: Novice 8's - UD, DUQ, DUQ 4x

Break
10:30 a.m. Race: Lightweight 8's - UD, DUQ 10:45 a.m. Race: Novice 4's - UDA, DUQ A
10:50 a.m. Race: DUQ B , UD2N  11 a.m. Race: Varsity 8's - UD, DUQ , UD2V http://www.metroparks.org/_eastwood/maps.aspx Link to directions