Cardinal Rowers Open Spring Season Saturday
March 16, 2001 | Rowing
March 16, 2001
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After spending the week practicing on the water for the first time this year, the University of Louisville women's rowing team will officially open its spring season Saturday when the Cardinals face Duke in a dual race on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
"The goals set this spring focus on creating a solid platform to build upon," said first year head coach Richard Ruggieri. "We are trying to create a program that is constantly working to get better. This is best seen in strong work ethic and commitment to fellow teammates."
The Cardinals recorded three top-five finishes in five varsity races this past fall, the program's first-ever season at the intercollegiate varsity level. Last year, the Cards only competed at the novice level in their inaugural season.
Leading the way for the varsity squad are sophomore co-captains Nikki Lee and Melissa Campbell. Also returning from last year to accompany these two on the varsity squad are sophomores Jennifer Klipple, Kate O'Bryan, Kris Pittman and Blaire Steinert.
Joining the varsity team last fall for the first time were freshmen Nicole Ginn and Allison Kemphaus, who were teammates for the two-time national champion Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club.
Ginn also gained international experience last summer when she helped lead the United States women's 4 without coxswain team to a gold medal at the 2000 FISA Junior World Rowing Championships, marking the first-ever gold by a U.S. junior women's crew. The Ft. Wright, Ky., native also placed fourth on the U.S. women's 8+ crew at the world championships.
"To be successful on the water we need to maximize our potential in every area," said Ruggieri. "By doing this, we may be able to surprise some established programs."
The Cardinals will race in seven events throughout the region before hopefully culminating with a race at the NCAA Championships in Lake Lanier, Ga., at the end of the season.
"Each day I feel we get better," said Ruggieri. "The student-athletes have committed themselves fully to getting the job done. I am not sure when this may happen, but I am confident we will get there."
