American Beginning

STANFORD, Calif. – After nearly five weeks of training, the Stanford women’s rowing team will get its first taste of racing as they travel to Gold River, Calif. for the Head of the American on Saturday.

“Head of the American is really fun,” said junior Kay Rusher. “What is great about this regatta is it allows everyone to race in different boat classes. It gives everyone a chance to do a couple of different pieces.”

Stanford will start the regatta with its novice eight at 10:18 a.m. The Cardinal jumpstarted last season with a first place finish in the same event. There are 14 talented freshmen on this year’s roster and nine of those will make their collegiate debut in the novice eight, while some others will also be competing at the regatta.

The Cardinal will send eight pairs into the field for the collegiate 2- at 11:02 a.m. Later on they will send two varsity eights out for a 1:50 p.m. race and then conclude the day with four varsity four boats at 2:50 p.m.

“It is an awesome regatta that is basically in our back yard,” said head coach Yasmin Farooq. “We load up the vans and head on over to Gold River, which is also the site of the NCAA Championships this spring. Any opportunity we have to get on that course is a good one.”

Stanford has been hard at work in the weeks leading up to the season and even though they have had limited training, the competition from this weekend will allow them to see where they are compared to teams who have been on the water twice as long.

 “We really have just a fantastic group of young women,” said Farooq. “A fourth place finish at NCAA’s last year has everybody wanting to take the next step. They are working really hard trying to make the most out of the fall. Every day I feel like I am seeing differences.”

The Cardinal has two regattas on the schedule this fall. They will also go to Head of the Lagoon in Foster City, Calif. on Saturday, Nov. 8.