University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Head of the Mississippi
Rowers Sweep Head of the Mississippi Regatta
10/2/2011 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
Oct. 2, 2011
The University of Minnesota women's rowing program swept the board at Sunday's Head of the Mississippi Regatta as Golden Gopher crews kicked off their fall season by capturing the top spots in all four of their races.
The Gophers, who were competing against crews from St. Thomas, Macalester, Saint Benedict and the Minneapolis Rowing Club, captured the top two spots in the Women's 2X (pairs), the top three places in the Women's Collegiate 4+ and the Women's Collegiate 8+, and the top to positions in the Women's Novice Collegiate 8+.
"Today was a chance for us to see where we are at this early stage of the season," head coach Wendy Davis said. "I think we are sitting in a good position. We looked strong and fit and I'm very pleased with the progress that has been made. We still have a ways to go, but it was a nice way to start the season."
Each race was rowed upstream on the Mississippi River, beginning at the Minneapolis Rowing Club and ending approximately three miles from the start.
Minnesota boats produced a clean sweep of the top three spots in the Women's Collegiate 4+. Coxswain Jackie Stein's boat easily outpaced the field to win the race in a time of 18:19. Coxswain Mahogany Ellis' boat held off a stiff challenge for second place, finishing in a time of 18:48, four seconds ahead of coxswain Rachael Rogers' boat.
The Gophers produces an identical 1-2-3 result in the Women's Collegiate 8+ event. Coxswain Sara Baldvins guided her boat across the line in first place, covering the course in 16:46. Second place was again a tight battle, with coxswain Rogers' boat finishing in a time of 16:54 to edge coxswain Stein's boat by just a second.
The Women's 2X (pairs) race again resulted in Gopher victory. Kayla Thom and Becky Kinchin were the first across the line in a time of 19:57, followed by Rachel Sartor and Ali Haws in a time 20:21.
Minnesota closed out the event by taking the top two positions in the Women's Novice Collegiate 8+ race, with the two boats crossing the line with times of 19:44 and 20:40, respectively.
The Gophers return to action on Sunday, Oct. 30, at the Head of the Iowa in Iowa City.
Players Mentioned
