March 27, 2012
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s rowing team held a scrimmage against Minnesota on Saturday, March 24. The scrimmage was moved from Lake MacBride to the Iowa River. The teams participated in two 3.5 minute pieces in the following events: Varsity 8+, 2nd Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+, Novice 8+ and 2nd Novice 8+.
In piece one of the Varsity 8+, Minnesota finished over Iowa by one full length of open water. Minnesota went on to finish 2/3 length of open water over Iowa in the second piece.
“The scrimmage provided both Big Ten Schools a great racing atmosphere,” said Head Coach Mandi Kowal. “The water was perfect. Minnesota proved to be a tough competitor and we came away with some valuable information.”
Minnesota finished ahead of Iowa in both 2nd varsity 8 pieces. Minnesota finished over Iowa by two feet of open water in the first piece and finished 1/3 length open water in the second piece.
“I think several of our crews got caught up in the moment and strayed from our race plan which showed in some of the pieces,” said Kowal.
Following the Varsity 8’s, the Varsity 4’s raced. Minnesota had two crews racing and Iowa had one crew racing. The exact distances were hard to gage due to the position of the coaches launch on the narrow river. Both of Minnesota Varsity 4’s were ahead of Iowa by roughly a boat length of open water in the first piece and Minnesota finished ahead of Iowa by more than a boat length of open water in the second piece.
The last event of the scrimmage was the Novice 8’s. Minnesota finished over Iowa by 6 seats of open water in piece one and went on to finish 1/4 length of open water over Iowa in the second piece. In the 2nd Novice 8 event, Minnesota’s crew finished ahead of Iowa by one seat in the first piece. And on the last piece Iowa finished ahead of Minnesota by three seats.
Iowa returns to action Saturday at the San Diego Crew Classic.
“We will pick it back up this week with added motivation and purpose to our daily workouts in preparation for our upcoming race,” added Kowal.