Rowing might not often be compared to track and field, but for Minnesota sophomore rower Colleen Brown, running in high school naturally handed off to a college rowing career.

“My track career kind of peaked in high school, but I was always good in relays,” Brown said. “I just thought I could translate that to rowing because of the team element.”

Brown’s simple explanation might not seem like such a logical switch to others. But with natural ability and leadership qualities, she has quickly made the transition look as easy as she made it sound.

In her first year of rowing experience, coaches and teammates named Brown captain of the novice team because of her natural talents.

But in her second year, the Gophers asked her to again make a significant change by joining the Varsity Four boat.

As Brown’s role changed from captain of an eight-person novice boat to a four-person varsity boat this spring, she continued to handle each transition as fluidly as a passed baton between runners.

Brown began working in the smaller boat during the Gophers’ spring break training in San Diego, and she was soon given the stroke position, which sets the pace for the entire boat.

First Varsity Four coach Libby Sharrow said Brown made great strides in her new role despite entering a position that generally takes a long time to adjust to.

“She made some great technical changes during that trip,” Sharrow said. “She came in with confidence and attacked the stroke and other changes she needed to make.”

Sharrow said Brown and teammates Caitlin Dowden, Meghan Johnson, Megan Stuhlfaut and coxswain Leah Gross all adjusted quickly and began adding the finesse and sensitivity it takes to row in a smaller boat.

But the team was plagued with injuries and sickness throughout the season, which kept it from competing and practicing together throughout.

Despite the changing lineups, the team has lost only once this season, and Sharrow said all of the changes made the team stronger.

She said she credits Brown for buying into that attitude and helping keep everyone together.

“I think a lot of people gravitate toward her naturally as a leader,” Sharrow said. “She takes her role seriously.”

After last weekend’s victory over Kansas and Southern Methodist, the team ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten heading into this weekend’s conference championships.

The performance was even more impressive considering the team was still unsettled. Katie Engel stepped in for Johnson, who was injured.

Johnson looks forward to joining the team again this weekend, and said she will enjoy getting back in the boat with Brown.

“I look up to her,” Johnson said. “She really gives it her all every practice and isn’t afraid to help people.”

Leader or not, Brown said she is just glad to have Johnson and the rest of the boat together heading into the final leg of the season.

“I’ve never been more excited in my entire life,” Brown said. “We’re just excited to be in the original lineup.”

Boat of the Week

Minnesota’s first Varsity Eight team was named boat of the week by the Big Ten for its victory over Kansas and Southern Methodist last weekend.

The team consisted of Katherine Nelson, Jackie Gagner, Melissa Roche, Heidi Rose, Vilma Strageyta, Beth Ratterman, Andrea Pierce, Sam Wangsgard and Jill Peters.

The honor is the first for the Gophers this season and only the third in team history.