The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Heart of Texas
Rowing notches four victories at Heart of Texas regatta
03.06.2010 | Rowing
March 6, 2010
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Rowing team posted four victories in its four races at the 2010 Heart of Texas regatta, Saturday at Lady Bird Lake. The Longhorns posted victories in the women's open 8+, women's open 4+, women's novice 8+ and the women's novice 4+.
The varsity eight comprised of coxswain Emma Dirks, stroke Charity McDonald, Anna Thomson, Meg George, Courtney Nicklas, Colleen Irby, Karli Sheahan, Kait Postle and Julia Stevens won the women's open 8+, finishing with a time of 3:15.61. The Austin Rowing Club finished second (3:17.83), but UT's varsity shell of coxswain Meg Kelly, Stephanie Matejka, Nancy Arrington, Jelena Zunic, Laurel McCaig, Sally Tunell, Tajana Lovric, Sarah Pedersen and Kaitlin Lewallen placed third and clocked a time of 3:18.30.
Texas' final open 8+ boat of coxswain Mary Cait McPherson, stroke Jacqueline Gorcyca, Felicia Izaguirre-Werner, Katarina Susac, Callie Mattrisch, Audrey Ullman, Tara Saad, Natasia, Giles and Katrina Cerk placed fourth, completing the race in 3:19.67.
"I think we took a lot away from this regatta which is primarily comprised of club programs," head coach Carie Graves. "We are the only Division I program in this 1,000-meter race. After the race, it's clear that the success of the varsity hinges on being able to race a 'TEAM' based on strengths instead of weaknesses."
The novice team swept the top three spots in the women's novice 4+, as its first-place boat posted a time of 3:51.68, its second-place crew finished in 3:52.93 and its third-place boat clocked a time of 3:58.44.
Texas also claimed the top three spots in the women's novice 8+ race. The Horns' first-place crew finished in 3:45.82, while its second boat finished in 3:49.29 and its third boat completed the race in 3:52.82.
The Horns also claimed first in the women's open 4+ as the first boat finished in 3:48.60. UT's second entry finished fourth and clocked a time of 3:53.60.
"The novices raced to all top finishes and did just an superb job today," Graves said. "This was their first competition with racing starts and lanes, proving that they are certainly ready to race and race well in our upcoming 2K season."
The Heart of Texas is a 1,000 meter sprint race held annually in March, making it one of the first sprint races of the Spring. The Austin Rowing Club first held the Heart of Texas Regatta in 1983 and the event has grown to include Masters and Junior events and a seven-lane, fully-buoyed course and state-of-the-art starting platform. Almost 700 boats competed at the 2010 regatta.
Texas returns to the water on Friday, March 19 when it kicks off its first session at the Longhorn Invitational on Lady Bird Lake.
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