Oct. 26, 2011
THIS WEEK: The University of Iowa women’s rowing team will race in front of its home crowd Sunday as it hosts the Head of the Iowa. Races will begin at approximately 10 a.m.
THE RACE: In Sunday’s regatta, rowers will race down a 2.5 mile stretch of the Iowa River. The Hawkeyes will compete in the women’s varsity 8’s, women’s varsity 4’s and women’s pairs.
EVENT INFORMATION: The event will take place on the banks of the Iowa River at City Park. Spectators can purchase hot chocolate and candy. There will also be a bounce house for kids to take part in. Herky will also be making an appearance at the event.
Schedule of events and other event information can be found at the Head of the Iowa official webpage: http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/w-rowing/spec-rel/head-on-iowa.html.
LAST EVENT: The University of Iowa women’s rowing team competed at the 26th Annual Head of the Rock Regatta Oct. 9 in Rockford, Ill. The Hawkeyes wore pink headbands to raise awareness for breast cancer as they raced down a 2.75 stretch of the Rock River. Iowa competed in the collegiate pairs, 8+ and 4+ and novice 8+ and 4+.
The eight Iowa crews that competed in the event raced in calm weather conditions. Katy Kroll and Annemaire Bernhard led Iowa with a seventh place finish (19:14.42) in the collegiate pairs. Finishing right behind Kroll and Bernhard were Laura Hallman and Erin Czupil, who posted a time of 19:15.05 for eighth place.
Kendra Klaczak, Louise Bensz, Kroll, Bernhard, Susie Stralina, Christine Allingham, April Podbregar, Hallman and Czupil raced in the varsity 8+. The crew ran into some trouble when they had to stop for another crew during the race, but managed to place fifth overall with a time of 16:41.81.
Iowa’s second varsity 8+ finished sixth overall. Johnson, Radke, Chloe Zwiacher, Erin Sodawasser, Lindsay Pollpeter, Hannah Klotz, Emily Karpinski, Beth Baustian and Achs finished in a time of 16:59.85.
Home of the hawkeyes: The P. Sue Beckwith, M.D., Boathouse was dedicated September 18, 2009. The new state of the art facility for the Hawkeyes is located within the city of Iowa City’s Terrell Mill Park, next to the Iowa River.
HEAD COACH: Mandi Kowal is in her 18th 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: “The Hawkeyes, the community and our families are excited for our the Head of the Iowa. There is nothing like racing at home and this year we will benefit from some special changes to the event improving the viewing and everyone’s experience.”