Nov. 3, 2008
ROCKFORD, IL – The University of Iowa women’s rowing team returned to the water this Sunday at the Southland Regatta in Calumet Park, IL. With three varsity boats and two novice boats competing, the Hawkeyes nearly qualified every varsity boat for the finals.
Competition began with the varsity eights’ 4000 meter qualifying race, as Iowa sent two boats two the finals. Iowa’s varsity eight boat-A qualified with an impressive seventh place and a time of 16:52.64. The most notable finish for the Hawkeyes came from varsity boat-B. In a time of 17:11.54, their 10th place finish improved on last year’s finish by 14 spots and qualified them for the finals as well. Additionally, varsity boat-C (21st) missed placing by one spot in a time of 18:00.43.
In their first outing of the year, both novice boats finished in the top 15. Novice boat-A finished in seventh place with a time of 19:09.12 while boat-B finished in a time of 20:13.55, earning them 14th.
Competition for the finals consisted of five 2000 meter races with four boats in each race. The Hawkeyes posted top-10 finishes from both boats that competed. Boat-A finished sixth in a time of 6:58.10 while boat-B finished in 10th with a time of 7:08.80.
“We had mixed feelings this weekend,” Head Coach Mandi Kowal said. “In some ways, our team made some steps in the right direction but in other ways we were disappointed with unfortunate incidents that took place in three of our 4000 meter races. I thought the crew of the weekend was the second varsity eight. They had their best race of the fall. The varsity crew rowed an aggressive 2000 meter race which was good to see after the frustrations they experienced in the 4000 meter morning race. We have two weeks to confirm and solidity our lineups for our race in Virginia. May the focus and determination be fueled by our most recent weekend of racing.”
The Hawkeyes will continue their season in two weeks at the Rivanna Romp in Charlottesville, VA.
Women’s Varsity Eights Qualifier (4k)
(Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Virginia 16:16.72
2. Michigan State 16:18.64
3. Wisconsin 16:24.64
7. IOWA-A 16:52.64
10. IOWA-B 17:11.54
21. IOWA-C 18:00.43
Women’s Varsity Eights Final (2k)
(Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Michigan State 6:46.50
2. Virginia 6:48.60
3. Wisconsin 6:49.40
6. IOWA-A 6:58.10
10. IOWA-B 7:08.80
Women’s Novice Eights (Top 3 + Iowa)
1. Wisconsin 17:33.48
2. Michigan State 18:14.19
3. Wisconsin 18:31.38
7. IOWA-A 19:09.12
14. IOWA-B 20:13.55