The University of Connecticut women’s rowing team is anxiously awaiting the start of the 2003 fall season. This young squad will have over 30 returning rowers. The entire novice eight who finished fifth at the Dad Vail Championships will be returning and making a strong impact on the team. Seniors Briana Blood, Caroline Baker and Kristy Dahlstom will be this year’s tri-captains. Sophomores Alison Elmo, Katie Devonshuk and Tina Spagnoli will be in contention for a seat in the varsity eight. Given the depth of this squad, there will be a tremendous amount of competition to make the top two boats.

The Huskies start their fall season at the Mystic Coastweeks Row on Sunday, September 14 in Mystic, Conn. This will be their first appearance at this race and will be boating only two fours. On Sunday, Oct. 5, the entire Connecticut squad will compete at the Riverfront Recapture Head Race in Hartford, Conn. Each UConn boat will be racing for medals, and the first varsity eight will be trying once again to win the event and win back the Laperla Plate. UConn was the first crew to have their name inscribed on the plate when they won it in 2000, and have placed either second or third each year thereafter.

On Sunday, Oct. 18, one eight boat will represent the Huskies in the College Eight event in Boston at the Head of the Charles. The varsity boats and two novice eights will travel to Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct. 25, to compete in the Head of the Schuylkill. Last year, UConn’s second varsity eight raced in the club eight event and finished second, defeating second varsity eights from many strong college programs.