The University of Alabama women’s rowing team will wrap up the fall portion of its season this weekend by competing in the Head of Hooch in Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Crimson Tide is coming off an impressive showing in its last meet, the Head of Charles in Cambridge, Mass., where it received a bronze medal in the club 8+ race.
Senior Tabitha Coleman said the season has been a good one so far after strong displays at the Chattanooga Head Race and the Head of Charles.
“I think it has been explosive,” Coleman said. “We came out really strong in the beginning, and I feel that is something we’ll be able to carry on through the end of the fall this weekend.”
Head coach Larry Davis said if the Tide rows up to its potential, it should be a successful weekend in Chattanooga.
“I like to see us consistently rowing at the level I believe we’re capable of rowing,” Davis said. “If we do that, then I think we’re going to have the best showing we’ve had in a number of years at the Head of Hooch.”
Davis said the Tide has a good shot at doing something which has never before been done.
“Being a top-five finish is something we haven’t done before,” Davis said. “That would be an excellent thing and also maybe picking up a couple of medals.”
Senior Jessica Parker said a strong fall season can really help a team feel good heading into the spring season.
“I know in my four years here, we haven’t felt this well consistently over our fall season,” Parker said.
Parker also said the team is feeling a lot more confident this fall, which has helped with the success it has had.
“We feel more confident going in,” Parker said. “Our confidence level is up this year, and we feel like we have been much better competition than we have been.”
Progress is the most important thing for Davis. He said the Tide has shown progress so far in the fall season.
“All the athletes have made good progress this fall, which is what we want them to do,” Davis said. “It is building up to what we want to accomplish in the spring.”
Alabama will face some tough competition this weekend in Chattanooga. Davis said the Tide is hungry and ready to test themselves against a competitive field.
“I think the girls feel that they have made steady progress this fall,” Davis said. “They have had some good results when we have gone out and raced, and they’re looking forward to the opportunity to test themselves one more time before we wrap up the fall season.”
