No. 2 Rowing sweeps No. 3 Virginia

Sunday, May 2

Earlysville, Va.

University of Texas

Virginia

05.02.2021 | Rowing

The Longhorns won all four races against the Cavaliers with the I Eight establishing a new course record.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – No. 2 Rowing swept four races against No. 3 Virginia on Sunday morning at the Rivanna Reservoir with the I Eight establishing a new course record of 6:15.2. It is the second dual sweep of the season for the Longhorns after winning all four races at then-No. 7 Michigan on April 10.

"We expected today to be an important one for our team," said Texas head coach Dave O'Neill. "Racing a top team like Virginia on their home course creates some real challenges, and it was great to see everyone step up and do so well."

The course has a slight turn to starboard side between the 950m to 1000m section of the course, resulting in the inside lane starting 5m behind the outside lane. Texas had the inside lane for both eight races and the outside lane for the two four races.

In the I Eight race, Texas made up the stagger in the first minute of the race and reached the turn a full length ahead of Virginia, extending the lead throughout the remainder of the race, finishing 11.8 seconds ahead, 6:15.2 to 6:27.0.

The II Eight pulled even with Virginia at the 500m-mark and reached the turn one-half length ahead, extending the lead to a full length after the turn and closing out the race another full length ahead with a time of 6:28.5 to best Virginia by six seconds.

With starts in the outside lane, both fours arrived at the turn with open water and maintained their lead through the turn, increasing their margins throughout the second half of the course, with the I Four recording a time of 7:11.8 to win by 8.4 and the II Four posting a 7:26.5 to top the Cavaliers by 15.7 seconds.

"I was particularly impressed with our coxswains who navigated the turn perfectly and put our boats in a great position," O'Neill said. "Of course, the first eight was really good. They've been working on a few things and they're coming together pretty well."

Conditions in the I Eight race had little to no wind and flat water, while the remaining races a slight headwind over the second half of the course but good water.

Through three regattas, the Longhorns have won all eight dual races and all five A Final races.

Next on the docket, Texas will host the Big 12 Championships on Sunday, May 16 on Walter E. Long Lake. The field will consist of Oklahoma, Kansas, Kansas State, West Virginia and conference affiliates No. 12 Tennessee and No. 13 Alabama.

RESULTS:
I Eight
1. TEXAS – 6:15.2*
2. Virginia – 6:27.0
*Course Record

II Eight
1. TEXAS – 6:28.5
2. Virginia – 6:34.5

I Four
1. TEXAS – 7:11.8
2. Virginia – 7:20.2

II Four
1. TEXAS – 7:26.5
2. Virginia – 7:42.2

LINEUPS:
I Eight – Rachel Rane (coxswain), Kaitlin Knifton (stroke), Francesca Raggi, Alexandra Watson, Aspa Christodoulidis, Daisy Mazzio-Manson, Anna Jensen, Katelyn Bouthillette, Lisa Gutfleisch (bow)