The Charles River has thawed. The crew season has begun.

And as always, Harvard and Radcliffe are in the hunt for the national title on almost every level of competition.

The Heavyweights

Men's heavyweight coach and legend Harry Parker (in his 30th year at Harvard) is speaking with guarded optimism about the upcoming season.

"There's a chance we can do very well," Parker said. "We could be stronger than we were last year."

Last year, Parker took his boat to third place finishes at the Eastern Sprints and the National Collegiate Championships, finishing behind Pennsylvania and Northeastern both times.

Harvard also lost dual races to the Quakers and Wildcats, while defeating every other opponent.

This year, Penn and NU are still at the top. Harvard, Cornell and Navy represent the second tier, but all five teams have a legitimate shot to win the national championship.

Currently, Parker's lineup has sophomore Didzis Voldins at stroke, junior Bill Cooper in the seven seat, followed by junior Ethan Ayer, senior Captain Steve Trafton, Bill's twin brother John, sophomore Colin Chant, sophomore Adam Holland, junior Lars Mellemseter in bow and sophomore coxswain David Weiden.

Four sophomores in the first boat seems like a lot, but Parker downplayed any talk of a youth movement.

"It's not an intentional decision," Parker said. "Whoever's rowing well will be on the boat. This is not an unusual move... I think we did this last year."

Radcliffe, on the other hand, is senior-heavy and looking to improve on last year's fourth place finish at nationals.

Unfortunately, it will have to contend with Boston University, which has created what Captain Amy Constable termed "a mini-dynasty."

"BU is supremely confident," Constable said. "I would love to beat them."

Despite the Terriers' pre-eminence, Constable ranked the Black and White (Radcliffe colors) among the top three crews in the country.