Women’s rowing and softball are going back to the basics as they prepare for a spring season.
The Atlantic 10 postponed fall competition to the spring, affecting fall regattas and scrimmages across the conference. Head women’s rowing coach Marci Robles and head softball coach Shane Winkler, whose teams were also affected by the canceled spring season, said the teams are holding online meetings and focusing on skills and fundamentals to stay plugged in this fall.
Here’s how the two teams are using the fall to prepare for spring play:
Women’s rowing About half of the team’s 40-member roster are living in Foggy Bottom this fall, Robles said.
Women’s rowing traditionally competes during the fall term, but the bulk of its competition season comes in the spring. The Colonials usually compete in two to four regattas in the fall and double that number in the spring.
The team has begun specialized skill-focused workouts for student-athletes who are currently in the District. Robles said those who are still at home are working out voluntarily depending on the facilities available to them, and the coaching staff is working individually with them to figure out a training plan.
“There’s a much greater focus on technique,” Robles said in an email. “At this point, we’re only rowing small boats so we’re able to really break things down and take our time. Since we’re not racing this fall, there’s no rush to prepare for competition.”
Robles added that she wasn’t surprised by the decision to postpone the fall season, and coaches are continuing to meet with the squad regularly to keep them engaged. Rowers meet in small groups throughout the week, and the team meets all together at the end of each week, she said.