The ASU Rowing club competed against some of the country's finest rowers over the weekend in the Desert Sprints Regatta at Tempe Town Lake.
The men's eight plus, four plus and novice four plus teams each took first place. The women's novice four plus teams took second and third and the women's novice eight plus team placed third.
ASU coach Jeff Wilkinson said the team did a terrific job overall.
"We had a great showing and some people took notice," he said. "We put in a lot of hard work and it paid off.
"We need to start stepping it up, work harder and push ourselves even more."
Tempe Town Lake has become well known in the rowing community for its smooth water, great climate and good training opportunities. Many U.S. Olympians and Olympic hopefuls have already begun intensive training at the lake.
"Not many places in the nation have the rowing conditions that we have here," said Jeff Wilkinson, ASU Head Coach.
The racing featured many amateur teams competing against each other and against themselves. About 400 rowers participated over the weekend.
It was the first big rowing event of the year.
"We're competitive, but it's a family atmosphere," said Wilkinson. "We try to make it fun."
The ASU Rowing team started up three years ago, but fell apart after a couple of months. Wilkinson and Becky Moody, club president, then started it up for good less than two years ago.
"I saw it on TV in high school and I wanted to row," said Moody, a junior in business management. "I love the rhythm and the feel of the sport."
Doctoral student Laura Becht said she loved the teamwork aspect of the sport.
"Being in a boat that is completely set and you're all together gliding across the water, that's the best," she said.
The club currently has 39 members and four coaches, all volunteers. They practice Monday through Friday from 4:45 a.m to 7 a.m.
Wilkinson said the team wanted to be competitive on a national level.
"It's hard because we get almost no funding," added Wilkinson, a master's degree student in microbiology. "We just want to get the club going. We just want to grow.
"It's tough, but we're getting it going."
ASU student Omar Hassan has been rowing for more than three years. He said rowing had taught him many things.
"It's taught me teamwork and how to work toward a common goal," said Hassan, an interdisciplinary studies senior.
Wilkinson said the sport was definitely team oriented.
"If one person is off, the whole team is off," he said. "Everyone has to be one piece of the machine. Either the whole boat shines or nobody shines."
Undeclared sophomore Justin Miller said he just started rowing this semester.
"It is good exercise and it's a good way to get involved," he said. "I'm here for the experience."
Tempe Town Lake is two miles long. The course the rowers use is 1.2 miles long.
Wilkinson said the keys to being successful in rowing were dedication, good equipment, good coaching and a desire to be the best.
"What you put into it is what you get out of it," he said.
Reach the reporter at jeremy.a.cluff@asu.edu
