The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Virginia
No. 8 Rowing challenges No. 4 Virginia in dual regatta
04.30.2016 | Rowing
Cavaliers hit the finish line first in the four races contested Saturday at Walter E Long Lake.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 8 Texas capped a strong 2016 regular season with a day of dual racing against No. 4 Virginia Saturday at Walter E. Long Lake. The regatta featured a pair of top-seven team finishers from the 2015 NCAA Championships, and Virginia came away victorious in the two fours races and the two eights races contested Saturday.
"We simply got beat by a better team today," said second-year UT head coach Dave O'Neill. "As a collective group, we raced pretty well, but Virginia was faster and more powerful. We had to adjust some workouts the last two weeks due to storms, lightning and the flow on Lady Bird Lake. Regardless, I think we took some steps forward, and we're actually a better team than when we raced Virginia two weeks ago (at the Clemson Invite). However, Virginia looked to be better, as well."
Virginia claimed the day's opening race, the second varsity four, in 6 minutes, 59.5 seconds while Texas' "A" entry followed in 7:06.7. UT also raced a "B" entry that took third at 7:08.6.
Virginia claimed an open-water win in the varsity four race at 6:50.25 while Texas hit the finish line at 7:01.7. UT's second varsity eight provided a stiff challenge in the next race, but Virginia took the win at 6:05.7 while Texas clocked 6:07.7.
Virginia claimed the varsity eight race at 5:58.8 while Texas clocked 6:03.2.
"It was great to race on Decker (Lake Walter E. Long) for the first time, and things worked out quite well," O'Neill added. "I think everyone who's been there sees the potential for a terrific rowing venue."
Next month the Longhorns will go for an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships at the Big 12 Championship (May 14-15) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
"As always, we're taking the long view and looking ahead to the championship season," O'Neill concluded, "so we need to remain focused on being the best team we can be in late May."
Texas-Virginia dual regatta
Walter E. Long Lake (Austin)
Second Varsity 4+
1 Virginia 6:59.5
2 Texas (A), 7:06.7
Texas Crew: Shannon Barry (coxswain), Courtney Crossley, Natalie Guzikowski, Lauren Mufarreh, Allyson Hite
3 Texas (B), 7:08.6
Texas Crew: Kay Murphy (coxswain), Alyssa Schmidt, Valerie Vines, Lauren Nail, Lauren Edwards
Varsity 4+
1 Virginia 6:50.25
2 Texas 7:01.7
Coxswain: Teresa Nguyen, Blair Bartholomew, Rebecca Gehring, Victoria Bartell, Sofia Arend
Second Varsity 8+
1 Virginia 6:05.7
2 Texas 6:07.7
Texas Crew: Emily Walker (coxswain), Jessica Smith, Victoria Bujala, Rachel Smith, Sara Neaves, Inga Gasbakk, Kendall Chapman, Rachel Fleming, Margaret Dail
Varsity 8+
1 Virginia 5:58.8
2 Texas 6:03.2
Texas Crew: Katie Betsill (coxswain), April Brown, Gia Doonan, Emily Froehlich, Sarah Cadman, Pippa Loveard, Alice Bowyer, Mariam Soufi, Fanny Bon
Players Mentioned
