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The women’s rowing team hosts The Rivanna Romp on Sunday, Nov. 11. Georgetown, Miami, Ohio State, Tennessee and Texas, in addition to the host Cavaliers, will be competing in the Regatta, which begins at 9 a.m. Head coach Kevin Sauer has molded UVa into one of the elite rowing programs in the nation. Last year the Cavaliers finished second at the NCAA Championships.

Question: How is the fall season going?
Sauer: I have been pleasantly surprised and I think we look good considering we have been battling some injuries. Our pair boat times are faster than last year at this time and there have been some rowers setting personal bests. We had a chance to win at Princeton and I’m looking forward to the Rivanna Romp on Sunday.

Question: You recently announced team captains for the year, Kelsie Chaudoin and Mary Eddy. Talk about those individuals.

Sauer: The significant thing about Kelsie and Mary is that they were walk-ons. To go from being a walk-on to being selected by your peers as a team captain is exciting and impressive. They are both excellent students, and Kelsie is a fourth-year architecture major and Mary is an All-ACC Academic team member and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete.

Question: What goes into maintaining such a successful program over the years?

Sauer: We’ve been fortunate to have some great kids in our program. We also try and maintain a really encouraging atmosphere, which I think is part of our consistency. I get a lot of compliments about the kids in my program and that makes me very proud.

Question: What are you looking forward to seeing on Sunday at the Rivanna Romp?
Sauer: Well, Ohio State finished third in the team standings at the NCAA Championships, and we finished second. All the teams on Sunday are very successful programs and we’re looking forward to competing with them.

What individuals have stood out in your mind this fall?
Sauer: Jennifer Cromwell, who was the ACC Freshman of the Year in 2007, competed for the Under 23 team, and so did Lauren Hutchins. All the kids have been very resilient so far in the fall and everyone has stepped up.

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