Published: April 26, 2007 11:03 pm            

ON CAMPUS: A new endeavor

Clarksville's Hamman gives up running for rowing

When people think of the Hamman family from Clarksville, they automatically think of running.

The five Hamman children — Laine, Bailey, Mallory, Madison and Cassy — have all competed for the track and cross country teams at Clarksville High School.

But when Mallory began attending the University of Louisville, her sport of choice changed.

Hamman, a sophomore, is in her second season as a member of the U of L women’s rowing team. She is on the Cardinals’ varsity 8-plus crew this spring after being on the varsity 4-plus crew in the fall.

Hamman says fellow Clarksville natives are a little stunned when they find out she is on the rowing team instead of the track squad at U of L.

“Most are surprised,” said Hamman, who is a former all-Mid-Southern Conference runner in both track and cross country. “Some people don’t know U of L has a rowing team. When people find out about the team, they become pretty interested.”

Laine Hamman, a former runner at U of L, influenced her younger sister to go out for the rowing team even though Mallory never rowed in her life.

“She found out about the rowing program and told me about it. I had never heard of rowing before,” Mallory said. “My sister convinced me and told me they have neat workouts. She told me they had hikes, but I have yet to be on a hike.”

Hamman proved to be a quick study in her freshman year, where she was on the novice roster.

She was named the co-most improved novice rower for the Cards. Hamman competed in the novice 4-plus race at the Big East Championships and in the novice 8-plus A final in the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.

Her achievements as a freshman helped her gain confidence, especially with teammates who have more rowing experience.

“I gained a little confidence my novice year,” Hamman said. “I just constantly try to build confidence because I’m still fairly new. I’ve been rowing with girls who have rowed for at least eight years.”

Hamman and her varsity eight-plus teammates have had a great spring portion of the 2006-07 campaign. U of L has been ranked for most of the season in the U.S. Rowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association varsity eight coaches poll. It attained its highest ranking in school history a few weeks ago at 16th.

On April 14, the Cards got the biggest victory in program history. Their varsity 8-plus crew defeated defending national champion and fifth-ranked California in the Windermere Real Estate Rowing Classic in Stanford, Calif. Along with the win over the Golden Bears, the crew beat nationally ranked Minnesota in its spring season opener on March 11. U of L will compete in the Big East Championships Sunday in Worcester, Mass.

“It’s gone by fast, but it’s been really exciting,” Hamman said. “We’re working hard and trying to improve every day.”

Like all sports, rowing requires a lot of training and dedication and that is no different at Louisville.

During the fall and spring seasons, the Cardinals have practice early in the morning on the Ohio River, starting at 6. Hamman, who gets up at 5 a.m. to get ready for practice, says she has grown accustomed to getting up early.

“It’s not that bad, but it’s hard to get back in the swing of things after the summer,” she said. “I go to bed early and get up early.”

The team also lifts weights and practices their technique on a rowing machine called an erg.

Hamman says the erg has made her a better rower and it will help future U of L rowers. In fact on her biography on the U of L athletics Web site, her advice to incoming freshmen is “learn to love the erg.”

“It’s like a treadmill. It’s pretty challenging, but it’s worth it,” Hamman said.

In addition, the Cards do a lot of running in practice, which is right up Hamman’s alley. Most of the running they do is up hills to help strengthen their leg muscles, which are essential in rowing.

What Hamman enjoys the most about being on the rowing team is her teammates. In her two years on the squad, she has built a great rapport with her fellow rowers.

“The best part about rowing is the team and the girls I row with,” Hamman said.

        

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