March 24, 2009
AUSTIN, TX – The University of Iowa women’s rowing team placed first in 16 of 24 events last weekend at the Longhorn Invitational. The Hawkeyes competed in six events both Friday and Sunday, along with 12 events Saturday.
Iowa’s first day on the water was solid, with the Hawkeyes claiming first in five of six events. The varsity eights started things with a win over Texas in 7:08.6, followed by wins in the 2V8+ (7:35.8) and the V4+ (8:30.1). After placing second in the 2V4+ (8:56.1) against Oklahoma’s first V4, Iowa swept the final two events in the first and second novice eights (7:40.9 and 8:15).
“This was a great way to start our weekend with a 5-1 record,” Head Coach Mandi Kowal said. “The encouraging news is that many of the crews came off the water with much to improve, meaning we will get faster.”
The Hawkeyes faced a tough Central Florida team Saturday morning and won two of the five events (1V8+ and 2V4+) before dropping the 2N8+ race to Texas by just over a second. However, Iowa came back Saturday afternoon with improved races and won three of six events. The Hawkeyes began with three commanding wins against Duke in the 1V8+ (7:09.9), 2V8+ (7:28.6) and V4+ (8:25.0). Iowa then took second to Wisconsin in the 2V4+ (8:42.2) before dropping an impressive comeback to Oklahoma by .9 second in the 1N8+ (7:36.5). Iowa’s 2N8+ boat finished the day with second place finish to Wisconsin’s first lightweight N8 boat.
“All crews came back this afternoon with an improved game plan and also some necessary technical adjustments to improve their racing,” Kowal said. “I was most pleased with each crews’ adjustments from the morning races.”
Iowa came to compete Sunday, as they finished the last day of competition with wins in all six events. The Hawkeyes claimed three-straight wins against Kansas State in the 1V8+ (7:05.6), 2V8+ (7:24.8) and V4+ (7:22.2). Iowa’s win in the 2V8+ came with nearly a 50 second margin of victory. Iowa then defeated Central Florida in the 2V4+ (8:29.8) before picking up two more wins against Kansas State in the 1N8+ (7:30.0) and 2N8+ (7:59.2).
“Each crew had very specific goals for their races and we were pleased to see that the best race of the weekend came today,” Kowal added. “It was very rewarding to see so many of the pieces come together on the last race. Overall, we had a successful weekend.”
Additionally, the 1V8+ boat of seniors Kristin Kelly, Laura Kanaris and Sheila Rinozzi, juniors Megan Erickson, Emily Vinson and Emily Katalinich and sophomores Haylie Miller, Clara Francois and Jess Novack went undefeated through all four races this weekend.
Iowa will host Minnesota and Creighton at Lake MacBride in Iowa City on March 28.
-DAY ONE –
1V8 +
1. IOWA 7:08.6
2. Texas 7:14.4
2V8 +
1. IOWA 7:35.8
2. Texas 7:42.5
V4 +
1. IOWA 8:30.1
2. Texas 8:58.8
2V4+
1. OU (1ST V4) 8:21.9
2. IOWA 8:56.1
1N8 +
1. IOWA 7:40.9
2. Texas 7:51.7
2N8+
1. IOWA 8:15.0
2. Texas 8:24.7
-DAY TWO (AM) –
1V8 +
1. IOWA 6:50.7
2. UCF 7:06.4
2V8 +
1. UCF 7:00.8
2. IOWA 7:13.5
V4+
1. UCF 7:52.4
2. IOWA 7:57.6
2V4+
1. IOWA 8:09.5
2. UCF 8:27.4
1N8 +
1. UCF 7:13.6
2. IOWA 7:22.4
2N8+
1. Texas 7:34.5
2. IOWA 7:35.6
-DAY TWO (PM) –
1V8 +
1. IOWA 7:09.9
2. Duke 7:19.5
2V8 +
1. IOWA 7:28.6
2. Duke 7:34.3
V4 +
1. IOWA 8:25.0
2. Duke 8:41.9
2V4+
1. Wisconsin 8:28.1
2. IOWA 8:42.2
1N8 +
1. Oklahoma 7:35.6
2. IOWA 7:36.5
2N8+
1. Wisconsin 7:51.7
2. IOWA 8:07.5
-DAY THREE –
1V8 +
1. IOWA 7:05.6
2. KSU 7:23.2
2V8 +
1. IOWA 7:24.8
2. KSU 8:11.4
V4 +
1. IOWA 7:22.2
2. KSU 7:32.2
2V4+
1. IOWA 8:29.8
2. UCF 8:37.4
1N8 +
1. IOWA 7:30.0
2. KSU 7:37.0
2N8+
1. IOWA 7:59.2
2. KSU 8:46.5