Rowing wins varsity four petite final at San Diego Crew Classic

Sunday, April 6

San Diego, Calif. (Mission Bay Park)

All Day

University of Texas

San Diego Crew Classic

Hollis Scheffler, Kathryn (Hemmert) Dunlap, Katie Betsill, Hannah Hinton, Angela Bumstead

Rowing wins varsity four petite final at San Diego Crew Classic

04.06.2014 | Rowing

Longhorns win their second petite final of the regatta, add runner-up finish in the open eight grand final.

SAN DIEGO – A come-from-behind win from its varsity four boat highlighted Texas' second day of racing Sunday at the 41^st annual San Diego Crew Classic on Mission Bay.

UT's varsity 4+ competed in Sunday's six-boat petite final and trailed Gonzaga through much of the race before rallying to victory in 7 minutes, 40.64 seconds and edging the Bulldogs by a fraction of a second. Katie Betsill coxed the boat that featured Hollis Scheffler, Kathryn (Hemmert) Dunlap, Hannah Hinton and Angela Bumstead. The win marked UT's second petite final victory of the regatta. The Longhorns' also won the petite final in the Women's Collegiate Novice division on Saturday.

"Gonzaga was out a length ahead for three-fourths of the race and tried to get open water on our four, but in the last 500 (meters), Texas marched right through them," said UT assistant coach Melissa Perrone. "Our four boat showcased its power and topped them off in the last three strokes. Gonzaga had the lead for almost the whole time and got off to a good start, but our Texas four made a decision to take it to the (finish) line first.

"A race like that was a good test for us," Perrone continued. "Three of these student-athletes only have novice spring racing experience under their belts, and Hannah is just a freshman. For them to win a race after being down…that's a huge testament to their character. The race isn't dictated until you finish. That boat is a snapshot of our program. We've got talent, depth and truly competitive athletes."

Texas also competed in the Grand Final of the Women's Open 8+ and emerged from the six-boat race with a second-place time of 7:26.38. The boat featured coxswain Lauren Deschner, Kimmie Winder, Emma Whalen, Brooke Bode, Lauren Nail, Lauren Studey, Arie Guerra, Allie Baker and Emily Jones.

UT's second varsity 8+ took fifth place in its six-boat petite final in 6:58.07.

"We saw some good things out here," UT head coach Carie Graves said. "The 2V (second varsity eight) did a really terrific job as well. The varsity (first varsity eight) needs some more speed. But, it's always great to be able to come out to this venue with intense competition. It was a really good competitive environment in a great venue, and it helps us get a good gauge of where we are and what we need to do over the next four weeks or so."

The Longhorns close the regular season at the Clemson Invitational in two weeks. The two-day regatta features six-lane racing on Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C.

"We've made strides from the Longhorn (Invitational), and we have built off of it here in San Diego," Perrone added. "If we can do the same going into Clemson, then we will build even more confidence. It will give us a chance to see how we fare against some strong east coast teams, SEC teams and Big 10 teams.

San Diego Crew Classic
Day 2 Texas Results
Women's Collegiate 4+, Petite Final (6 boats)
1.     Texas – 7:40.64
2.     Gonzaga – 7:40.86
3.     Tulsa – 7:47.08
4.     Kansas State – 7:48.47
5.     San Diego State – 7:57.76
6.     Old Dominion – 8:02.35

Coxswain: Katie Betsill
Hollis Scheffler
Kathryn (Hemmert) Dunlap
Hannah Hinton
Angela Bumstead

Women's Open, Grand Final (6 boats)
2. Texas – 7:26.38
Coxswain: Lauren Deschner
Kimmie Winder
Emma Whalen
Brooke Bode
Lauren Nail
Lauren Studey
Arie Guerra
Allie Baker
Emily Jones