Third-Ranked Women's Rowing Continues to Climb the Rankings
April 12, 2006 | Women's Rowing
April 12, 2006
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The USC women's rowing team continues to command respect in the 2006 season, this week rising to the No. 3 spot in the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/USRowing poll released on April 12. This is the highest ranking the Trojans have received since the husband-and-wife coaching team of Kelly and Zenon Babraj took over the program in 2002.
"This is pretty exciting for us and it is great for the program to make a statement," said junior Laura McDaniel. "Last weekend we had some pretty close races and it is nice to be able to beat them after losing to them last year."
The Women of Troy are coming off of a crucial win over fifth-ranked Ohio State and ninth-ranked Michigan on April 8. Other than the San Diego Crew Classic, the Buckeyes and the Wolverines are among the toughest competition the Trojans have faced this year. Beating Ohio State on its home course in 30-degree weather after jumping from No. 8 to No. 4 in the rankings shows just how mentally tough USC is.
"We weren't expecting to be ranked so high so soon," added junior coxswain Lauren Cowan. "We hope to make it to No. 1. There is only one race left before Pac-10s. We have a lot to improve on, but I think we can do it."
"It is really exciting and nice to be recognized, but now we have to perform on the water. In the end, that is what really matters," said coach Kelly Babraj.
The Trojans' last regular season race will be at home against cross-town rival UCLA. USC looks to clinch its fifth consecutive dual race over the Bruins on April 29 at the Port of Los Angeles.
Rankings
1. Princeton University2. University of California at Berkeley3. University of Southern California4. Yale University5. The Ohio State University6. Washington State University7. Michigan State University8. Harvard University9. University of Michigan10. Brown University11. University of Virginia12. University of Notre Dame13. University of Washington14. University of California at Los Angeles15. University of Tennessee16. University of Wisconsin17. Stanford University18. University of Minnesota19t Dartmouth College19t. Oregon State University
