May 25, 2011
BERKELEY -
As second-ranked California women's crew prepares for the NCAA Championships this weekend, CalBears.com had a chance to sit down with Elise Etem of the Golden Bears' varsity 8+ boat and discuss the upcoming national meet.
After coming so close in recent years to get the national title, does that weigh in the back of the minds of everyone on the team?
I would say that our team uses our placing and results from past years less as a weight or burden and more as motivation. We are all done coming in second or third, and ready to be national champions!
What's different about this year's team as opposed to years past?
We have a really young team this year, which has been awesome because the freshmen and underclassmen have done such a good job at pushing each other and the upperclassmen. It has brought out the best in everyone. Also, even with all of the distinct personalities on the team, everyone gets along and we are all striving for a common goal.
Which opponent(s) do you think will provide the biggest challenge?
We have had very tough races against USC and Stanford, and we know that Princeton is also very fast. At the same time, we know that the NCAA Championships brings out the best and fastest in every crew, and we are prepared to face tough competition from all the teams that will be there.
How did it feel to win a fourth straight Pac-10 Championship? Is it
something that gets better every year you do it?
Winning Pac-10s this year was awesome. It was a crazy day in terms of the racing and competition, but also because of the weather. I am so proud of all of our crews for staying focused and giving 100 percent. Also, it was extra special for me because I am really close with this years seniors, and it was cool to help give them their fourth straight title.
What's the current mindset of the team, riding so much momentum with
the wins over Washington, Stanford and at Pac-10s?
I think everyone is just really excited and ready to start racing. We have trained all year for NCAAs, and our wins the past few races have only better prepared us for what is sure to be a weekend full of very tough competition.
What's been your favorite memory of this season up to this point?
My favorite memory so far has to be our race at Pac-10s, from sitting at the starting line to getting out of the boat after winning an exciting and very close race. The crazy weather complete with lightning, thunder and even hail only added to the excitement of those seven or eight minutes, and the realization that we had just sealed the deal for the team championship, as well.
Cal will win the NCAA Championship if...
Every crew will be bringing their A-game, and the fastest team will win. We can only control what we do. We know that it is going to take a 100 percent effort from each of us, which we are prepared, ready and excited to give.
