LA JOLLA, Calif. – The UC San Diego men's rowing team has been busy practicing throughout the fall quarter in compliance with university, local, and state COVID-19 regulations. Now, with the end of the year and final exams approaching, the team has paused its activities until next month.
 
Head Coach Geoff Bond shared his thoughts on the Tritons' fall practices.
 
Q: How have practices been since returning to campus?
 
Bond: It was great to work with the athletes in person after such an extended period of time apart. Their fitness level was solid due to the work the APU [Athletic Performance Unit] has been doing with them combined with training on their own. That fitness base allowed us to be quite productive in the lead up to Thanksgiving. Most importantly, it has prepared the squad well for the next month of training.
 
Q: What has the team dynamic been like?
 
Bond: The general attitude continues to be upbeat. The athletes are positive in their outlook as they prepare for spring racing. This, of course, is the best approach in the face of ongoing uncertainty as it makes for confident, effective training in the short term, speed in the long term, and happier human beings. I appreciate and applaud their decision to forge ahead with enthusiasm and confidence!
 
Q: What has been a focus of your practices?
 
Bond: Technically, we have been using the enhanced erg time to work on better hip/leg connection.
 
Q: How have the newcomers fit into the team?
 
Bond: The new recruiting class is small in numbers, but will be very important to our spring speed.
 
Q: Any other thoughts on the fall practices?
 
Bond: The squad appreciates the work done by the Administration to make our in-person training possible and safe.
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 37 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.