Rowing teams ready to recruit

By Hye Kwon
Daily Bruin Staff

The UCLA rowing teams, boasting some of the most favorable
rowing conditions in the country at the UCLA Marina Aquatic Center,
have begun the process of recruiting new rowers for the 1996-97
season.

The four Bruin squads ­ varsity and novice teams for both
men and women­ will rely heavily upon new rowers because only
three athletes will return from last season’s teams. Sophomores
Mindy Fontius and Bobby Seminoff and senior Rebecca Slazenski will
anchor the women’s varsity team in the upcoming year, but other
than those three veterans, the teams will be comprised entirely of
rookies.

"What we’re looking for are good athletes regardless of prior
experience," women’s novice coach Paul Wilkins said. "In fact, the
novice level consists entirely of people who have never rowed
before."

The official season will not begin until next spring, but the
teams are holding a joint meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Los
Angeles Tennis Center club room to ready themselves for the
upcoming racing season. During this span of time, the teams will
compete against other schools in three-mile races to tune up for
the official season.

"The meeting will cover the basic information regarding the
team, including the membership fees, practice schedules and so on,"
UCLA crew advisor Shea Garvin said. "People will also meet the
coaches and the returning rowers."

When the official conference season begins next spring, the
teams will be competing in two-kilometer races. The Bruins, along
with all the Pacific 10 conference teams ­ excluding the
Arizona schools, will comprise the Pac-8 conference. UCLA is also a
member of the West Coast Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA),
which consists of schools such as UC Davis, San Diego State, UC San
Diego and Humbolt State.

After battling the who’s who in West Coast rowing throughout the
season, the culmination of the rowers’ effort will be reached at
Lake Natoma in Sacramento, where both the Pac-8 and the WIRA
championship meets will be held.

Anyone interested in joining the rowing teams, or who want more
information, are encouraged to come to next Wednesday’s meeting or
to consult the recreation office on the second floor of the Wooden
Center.