Sept. 27, 2009
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DES MOINES, IA – The University of Iowa women’s rowing team opened the 2009 fall season on a positive note at the Head of the Des Moines Saturday. The Hawkeyes captured first place in each of their three events of the day, and also placed numerous boats in the top five. Iowa competed against the likes of Kansas State, St. Thomas, Nebraska and Creighton Saturday.
Iowa started strong in its first race of the day, claiming the top two spots in the women’s collegiate 8’s. Iowa’s first varsity 8 won the event with a time of 16:03.0, with its second varsity 8 coming in second at 16:37.0. Iowa’s winning time was over one minute faster than Kansas State’s third place time of 17:07.0.
“We started off the regatta well with very solid rows by the Varsity 8’s,” Head Coach Mandi Kowal said. “We had some very specific time goals which were accomplished.”
The Hawkeyes continued its successful run in the collegiate pair event, taking the top eight times on the day. Iowa’s Emily Katalinich and Megan Erickson brought home Iowa’s second winning time of 19:57.0. The rest of the collegiate pairs result sheet was full of Black and Gold, with Iowa taking the next seven places to round out the event.
“We were disappointed with the performance in the pairs,” Kowal said. “We looked flat and not like ourselves. I was surprised because we have been rowing the pairs better during our practices.”
Iowa wrapped up the event in the women’s collegiate 4’s with a winning time of 18:21.0. Members of the first place boat included Haylie Miller, Christine Allingham, Emily Katalinich, Megan Erickson and Sheila Rinozzi. The Hawkeye’s also grabbed a second, fourth and fifth place finish in the race.
“We were happy to see the group rebound well in the fours race,” Kowal said. “They were rowing well together and looked long.”
“Overall, the group worked well as a team in every aspect of the day,” added Kowal. “We have some work do in our pairs preparation for our next competition. It was good to be back in Des Moines, and found the day to be helpful in exposing our limiting factors. We look forward to making some big changes in the next two weeks.”
Iowa returns to action October 11 at the Head of the Rock in Rockford, IL.