Women’s Rowing Set to Open Spring at Boston University Saturday

HANOVER, N.H. — After pulling out of last weekend's Doc Hosea Invitational due to extreme weather conditions, the Dartmouth women's rowing team is set to begin its spring season this Saturday morning with a matchup at Boston University. The Big Green are set to face the Terriers head-to-head for the first time since April 2019.

Dartmouth head coach Nancy LaRocque likes where the Big Green stands heading into the spring opener.

"Our current lineups are fairly similar to the fall and are moving along well," she said. "They are all technically focused and really starting to gel as crews. "Everyone has made significant improvement since September."

After the winter, Dartmouth traveled to Clemson, South Carolina, for training camp over spring break.

"It was one of the most productive training camps we've had as a team since I've been here," said LaRocque. "We rowed twice a day and did a lot of selection work and got in a significant amount of mileage and technical work."

Camp led to some final selections for boats to begin the spring season. The Big Green are finishing up the last bit of selection this week for the last few seats and will be ready to go Saturday morning bright and early.

The Big Green lost some solid contributors from last year's team but return plenty of talent this season.

"All of our seniors returned," said LaRocque. "This is a group of women I've worked with for three years. In their first year, we navigated COVID together in a very limited capacity. As juniors, they began to see what good leadership should look like. Now as seniors, they're doing a remarkable job as leaders, especially our two captains, Jessica Duckworth and Allison Smith. I feel fortunate that we have them leading the team.

"We have standout talent in all four classes," LaRocque continued. "It's great to see a mix of freshmen through seniors in our top boats, who are empowered to lead from within the boat."

The last time Dartmouth faced Boston University in 2019, the Big Green won all four races in a home regatta on the Connecticut River. Dartmouth hopes it can find a similar speed on Saturday.

The Big Green appear poised and ready to do just that as a collective group.

"This group of women has worked hard this year, and that's all any coach can ask for," said LaRocque. "We're in a better place strength-wise, fitness-wise and technique-wise than last year, and also in a much better place culturally as a team. And that has been very impactful to our speed and vibe at the boathouse.

"It's cool to see how in-tune they are with boat feel, the changes they're willing to investigate and make, and how they swing together," she continued. "They truly have to accomplish things as one unit. Nothing in a boat is done with a solo mindset."

LaRocque couldn't be prouder of the team's mentality, which should create a foundation for success, not only Saturday but also for the remainder of this season and seasons to come.

Racing on Saturday begins at 7:10 a.m. Following this weekend's racing, the Big Green return to action next weekend in the Ivy Invite at Princeton.

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