April 6, 2009
SAN DIEGO, CA – The University of Iowa rowing team took the varsity 8 and 2nd varsity 8 teams to San Diego, CA, Saturday and Sunday to compete in the 2009 San Diego Crew Classic. The Classic, held at Crown Point Shores on Mission Bay, is one of the premiere rowing events in the nation and hosts top teams from coast to coast.
In Saturday’s first prelim, the top three teams advanced and Iowa’s varsity 8 missed qualifying by just 2.7 seconds with a time of 6:45.01. Iowa’s second varsity 8 then placed third with one of its best races of the season, after beating UCLA in a time of 7:11.17, but needed second place to advance.
Iowa’s second varsity 8 began Sunday’s races with a second place finish (eighth overall), just edging out UCLA again by .33 seconds in a time of 7:06.43. The varsity 8 also put a strong race together and finished in second place in the petite finals (eighth overall), with a time of 6:53.77, just 1.57 seconds behind 13th-ranked UCLA.
“Overall, I was pleased with our performance out west, and the good news is that we still can improve on a lot in the coming weeks,” said Iowa Head Coach Mandi Kowal. “I was pleased to see how closely we raced against many of the ranked schools. Now it’s time to begin chipping away at our times for the next weekend of races.”
Additionally, Iowa took two novice boats and two varsity boats to Madison, WI on Saturday to scrimmage the Badgers. Iowa Novice Coach Chuck Rodosky was happy with the opportunity and experience.
“Saturday was a great day for rowing,” Rodosky said. “The water was flat and we really appreciate Wisconsin hosting the event. The experience we gained was invaluable and will help us this coming weekend in Michigan.”
The Hawkeyes will travel to Ann Arbor, MI, to compete against Michigan and Michigan State on April 11.
Women’s Varsity Eights
(Saturday Varsity 8 Heats)
1. Michigan 6:37.76
2. Washington 6:40.62
3. Oregon State 6:42.31
4. IOWA-A 6:45.01
5. Notre Dame 6:51.07
6. California-Davis 7:01.30
1. Washington 6:56.90
2. Notre Dame 7:06.49
3. IOWA-B 7:11.17
4. UCLA 7:15.49
5. St. Mary’s 7:47.17
(Sunday Varsity 8 Petite Finals)
1. UCLA 6:52.20
2. IOWA-A 6:53.77
3. Notre Dame 7:02.39
4. Miami 7:07.43
5. California-Davis 7:12.60
(Sunday 2nd Varsity 8 Petite Finals)
1. WSU 6:56.70
2. IOWA-B 7:06.43
3. UCLA 7:06.76
4. S. Dakota State 7:12.78
5. Miami 7:15.37
6. Sac State 7:17.64