With eight returning varsity letter-winners and a huge amount of enthusiasm, the Andover Girls Crew Team is off to a fast start. The team looks forward to a challenging and exciting rowing season in 2005. Coach Green said that she “was psyched by the positive energy and tough rowing” exhibited during preseason and is “ready to return from spring break and go full blast into April.” The team has been training hard indoors during preseason and over break and is eager to head back to the Merrimack. Captain Marcella Viktorin ’05 is one of five returning varsity seniors who will lead the team this year, along with Nell Beattie ’05, Hee-jin Chang ’05, coxswain Jessica Fan ’05, and Kate Ireland ’05. Chang said, “I am really looking forward to this season. Even before spring vacation, rowers began training intensely in preparation for competition, and I hope that this enthusiasm will carry us to a successful season.” Other returning varsity veterans are Katherine Adams ’06, Katie Faulkner ’06, and Erika Roddy ’07. Many promising returning JV rowers and several talented newcomers also look to contribute to Andover’s traditional rowing success. Andover finished last season with a strong record, and all of the returning varsity rowers were part of a G2 boat that took first place at the New England Interscholastic Crew Regatta. Although it graduated a total of ten varsity seniors, the team is excited to try to carry this victory into 2005. The returning rowers will be competing at a higher level of competition this year, but Andover is ready to defend its title and promises to be a threat among the elite teams of New England rowing. For the many rowers who live, breathe, and dream crew, the beginning of this season has been anticipated since fall term. Coach Green said, “It is no surprise to the Andover community that the team began dreaming of and planning for its spring season in early September. For months now, the rowers have been anticipating that first sweet spring sound: the coxswain’s call to tie in and count down when ready.
