Season Outlook

The 1997 season marks the first in which the women's crew team will compete for Villanova as a varsity sport. With an incredible 1995-96 season and an equally impressive 1996 fall campaign under their belts, the outlook for the spring is definitely a positive one.

Probably the most noted strongpoint for this year's squad is in the area of the lightweight events. Claiming numerous titles to go along with many other impressive showings, the Wildcat lightweights are considered to be among the best in the country and should have great success ahead of them. Aside from that, Coach St. Clair seems to feel that one of the strongest attributes working in his teams favor this season is confidence. "There is a new level of confidence in the girls after coming off of an extremely successful 1995-96 season, as well as a very strong showing at the Dad Vail Regatta," says St. Clair.

As in any sport, experience should also play a major factor in the success of the '97 squad. With a significant number of rowers returning from medal-winning boats, including senior captain Kristan Hoskins, it is apparant that this is a group of girls who realize exactly what it takes to win. Also coming into play in the area of experience is, as Coach St. Clair is eager to point out, the fact that this year's squad has a crop of talented sophomores returning from impressive rookie campaigns-- Erin Mulvey, Erinn Stivala, and Meghan Sarbanis, just to name a few. Each one will be back to give the rest of the team the added push it will need to make strong showings in '97.

In regards to the heavyweight category, Coach St. Clair admits that it is an area that needs some significant work. He does, however, remain optimistic, noting that the team is definitely looking to make improvements in their placings in those events.

It appears that the most problems may arise in the fact that, as a varsity team, they will be forced to step up and compete on an entirely new level. They will be put up against teams whose members have been rowing for years. While extremely talented, the 'Cats themselves are relatively new to the sport, many of whom rowed for the first time as freshman.

All in all, however, it looks as though things are getting better and better for the Wildcats. Hopes are that they will be able to defend as the champions at the San Diego Crew Classic and the Dad-Veil Regatta, while improving on their second-place finish at the NCAA Championships and a thrid-place finish at the Head of the Charles.

The '97 spring crew season is filled with potential for the Villanova women. The only question now is whether or not they can stand up to the intensity of varsity-level competition. Although it will prove to be a challenge, Coach St. Clair and his assistants, John Heiss and Anne Grobowski, feel that they are fortunate to be coaching a group of athletes that are more than up to the challenge at hand.