The University of Minnesota rowing team kicked off the championship season competing in its annual dual meet against Louisville, today, in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Golden Gophers won three of five races contested.
“Even though we didn't win a couple of the races, we saw some good things on the water today,' head coach Wendy Davis said. “We were happy with our results for the first race of the season and we hope to improve each weekend. We look forward to seeing Louisville in May again.'
Minnesota and Louisville each won two races in varsity action. The Cardinals won the First Varsity Eight race with a time of 6:38.4, while the Gophers finished in 6:39.2. Competing in the 1V8 for the Gophers were Megan Flannery as the coxswain, Cheryl Wick at stroke, Vilma Stragyte, Jenny Barnes, Sally Olson, Maggie Armstrong at the four seat, Erika Bartkute, Berit Tomten and Jenna Buskohl at bow.
The Golden Gophers claimed a win in the Second Varsity Eight. The boat of Kaja Tally, Mary Ann Weinzierl, Christine O'Donnell, Laura Jatautaite, Catherine Casey, Ashlee Vilmo, Sarah Graham, Heidi Becthel and Rachel Hotkowski at bow finished with a time of 6:54.1. Louisville added a time of 7:03.2 to place second.
Louisville gained a win in the First Varsity Four, but the Gophers rebounded for a win in the Second Varsity Four to again split the varsity competition. The Cards finished with a time of 7:41.5 in the 1V4 for the win, while the Gophers placed second in a time of 7:44.5 for second. In the Gophers' 1V4 was Erica Niemiec as the coxswain, Hotkowski, Katie Simpson, Lauren Van Proosdy and Becky Brzozowski. The 2V4 of coxswain Alanna Hjortland, Tracey Tallman, Angela Reesman, Emily Baxter and Erin Desmond won the race in a time of 8:07.3. Louisville clocked a time of 8:32.3 for second.
The Gophers took the top two spots in novice action. Minnesota competed two shells in the event, finishing in times of 7:36.5 and 7:51.4, while Louisville's novice team finished third in 7:54.6. In Minnesota's winning A boat was coxswain Anna Barberio, Michele Peterson at stroke, Jessica Norman, Abby Tomasek, Jenna Schuder, Brenna Galvin, Christine Cira, Michelle Murphy and Taylor Kimbel at bow. In the Gophers' B boat was coxswain Jayme Lehman, Amanda Schutte, Kate Lindgren, Katelyn Nichols, Meredith Lee, Megan Lenarz, Megan McClanahan, Katie Jones and Monika Folker at bow.
Minnesota will continue to practice down south as the Gophers compete against Tennessee, March 17 in Knoxville, Tenn.
