Slide show: Morning Crew

All is quiet near UW-Madison's lakeshore residence halls during the pre-dawn hours of a recent autumn morning. A hard frost covers the ground and birds begin singing as the light of a new day slowly brightens the night sky.

Soon, a series of still-sleepy student-athletes begin descending upon the Porter Boathouse. Once inside, they change clothes and gather in the boat storage area facing Lake Mendota. The ritual of a 6:15-8:15 a.m. crew practice is about to begin for the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team.

Left: A stream of pedestrians, bicyclists and moped drivers — members of the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team — arrives at the Porter Boathouse.

Text and photos by Jeff Miller