IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa rowing team’s third varsity four was named the Big Ten Boat of the Week, it was announced Tuesday by the Big Ten office. It is the Hawkeyes’ third weekly honor this season – the most in a single season in program history.
“This crew stepped up and took advantage of their opportunity to race,” said associate head coach Megan Fitzpatrick. “This shows the depth of our program and where we’re headed in the future. With this crew pushing the rest of the team, we’re only going to get faster.
“Coach (Lowell) McNicholas has done a great job working with this crew and they’re developing them to be race ready.”
The boat was recognized after picking up two victories and tallying a runner-up finish during the Big Ten Invitational last weekend in Sarasota, Florida.
The Hawkeyes won the afternoon session on April 15, posting a time of 7:38.645 to defeat Ohio State, Wisconsin and Notre Dame. It also was the runner-up to Michigan in the morning session in a time of 8:01.96.
A day later, Iowa’s third varsity four crossed the finish line in 7:32.006 to defeat Minnesota, Notre Dame and Michigan State to claim its second victory of the weekend.
Iowa’s boat consisted of McKenna Keen, Paige Leibfried, Liz Blewett, Maggie Winegar and Riley Shultz.
The Hawkeyes’ varsity eight earned the Big Ten Boat of the Week distinction on March 30 and the first varsity four was honored on April 5.
Iowa will close out the regular season with back-to-back home competitions at Lake MacBride. The Hawkeyes will host Michigan State and Tulsa on April 23 at 8:30 a.m. (CT) and Minnesota, Oregon State, UCF, USC and Wisconsin on April 29.
