“A focus on teamwork is crucial to the team’s success,” Coach Larry Davis said. “Rowing requires unity. There are very few sports that require unity of motion, the same time, the same way, every time.”
Davis said the team can continue to improve generally, but needs to show concrete improvement in results.
“One of our goals last year was to be competitive and to execute on race day, and we certainly did that,” Davis said. “This year, we’re looking to get more results in the win column … We want to have better results.”
The 2014-2015 squad is more experienced than in previous seasons, returning 10 seniors. Davis said the team’s experience will be a vital boost.
“This is the first time in a few years we’ve had a bigger senior class,” Davis said. “We need to them to take the initiative to help the underclassmen and use their experience to execute.”
Ashley Allison, one of the seniors on the team, said personal discipline is one of the most challenging parts of leading a rowing team.
“You have to be at 100 percent on every stroke,” Allison said. “Your performance is dictated by the team as a whole, and pulling it all together takes a lot of focus.”
The 2014-2015 season will be Alabama’s first as a member of the Big 12 after previously competing in Conference USA.
The team opens up the season with a head-to-head matchup with UAH Saturday in Tuscaloosa, one of three home meets for the Crimson Tide this season.
