Oct. 24, 2006
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THIS WEEK: The University of Iowa varsity rowing team will host the Head of Iowa Sunday in Iowa City, IA on the Iowa River. Racing will begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Varsity and Novice teams for the Hawkeyes will both compete. Spectators are encouraged to come support the Hawkeyes from several different viewing areas, including along the riverbanks at City Park. For a complete schedule of times and events visit www.hawkeyesports.com.
This year the Head of Iowa will host more then 420 boats; this will be the largest ever for the Head of the Iowa.
THE RACE: The 2.5 mile race takes competitors down the Iowa River through the heart of the campus of the University of Iowa. The race begins at Crandic Park and continues past City Park, passing under two bridges and ending near the Iowa Memorial Union. The races will be in a head race format. Teams will start the race one after another, with a 15 second break between each entry. The team that completes the course in the best time wins.
HEAD OF THE CHARLES: The University of Iowa women’s rowing team traveled to the Boston, MA, for the historical Head of the Charles. The Hawkeyes made a strong appearance in the women’s club eights, placing fifth and posting a time of 18:31.45. Guiding Iowa up the Charles River and coxing was senior Lori Rehel. In the boat from the stern to the bow were senior Elizabeth Bauer, sophomore Romy Post, freshman Kelsey Cronkite, senior Janelle Cross, sophomore Jennifer Berge, sophomore Heather Guntren, sophomore Stacy Dettman, and senior Emily Joynt. In a large field of 45 teams, the Hawkeyes placed 18th in a time of 16:50.393. Helping the Hawkeyes to secure the 18th place finish were coxswain Shelia Rinozzi, sophomore Kat Davy-Traynor, senior Megan Conner, sophomore Melissa Wordelman, junior Brittany Keyes, sophomore Hannah Miller, freshman Ankia Heder, sophomore Laura Kanaris, and sophomore Kristin Kelly.
HEAD COACH: Mandi Kowal is in her 13th year as head coach of the Hawkeyes. In the 1997 and 1998 NCAA Rowing Championships, she coached the Varsity 4+ teams to fourth and eighth-places finishes, respectively. Kowal began her rowing career at the University of Wisconsin in 1981. She was a two-time rowing World Champion in the Women’s Lightweight 4- (1986-1987). She was named Female Athlete of the Year in 1987 by the US Rowing Association and was inducted into the United States Rowing Hall of Fame in 1997.
QUOTING COACH KOWAL: “I look forward to the Head of the Iowa because it is a chance for our athletes to share their sport with the community. They love racing on our river and we look forward to ending our fall season strong.”