The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
San Diego Crew Classic
No. 4 Rowing wins three finals at San Diego Crew Classic
04.07.2024 | Rowing
The Longhorns collected three trophies at the two-day regatta.
SAN DIEGO – No. 4 Texas Rowing wrapped up a successful weekend in California winning three grand finals and finishing runner-up in a fourth at the San Diego Crew Classic on Sunday on the Fiesta Bay-Crown Point Shores of Mission Bay Park. The Longhorns raced against many of the top programs in the nation, including Pac-12 powers No. 3 Washington and No. 7 California, as well as SMU and Washington State.
"It was a great day here in San Diego. All four crews raced really hard, and I'm really proud of the team," said Texas head coach Dave O'Neill. "Coming away with three wins is terrific, but we're keeping things in perspective. Of course, it's good to have good results and go after it for two thousand meters after the months of training on the machines and small boats. You never really know how things will shake out once you really go for it, so we're in a good spot for right now."
Texas opened the finals session with a convincing victory in the Jessop-Whittier Cup Invitational by the I Eight with a time of 6:23.272, winning by open water over California, who crossed the line in 6:30.093, with Washington placing third in 6:38.272.
"The First Eight has some decent speed. They have good fitness, and the skill level is also quite high," O'Neill said. "Most importantly, the vibe and attitude within the crew is really strong, and they're enjoying rowing together. I was particularly impressed with Mette Nielsen at stroke. She set a steady, consistent rhythm that allowed the rest of the crew to relax and really maximize their effort."
The Texas Four followed with a third-straight title in the Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup, securing another open-water victory for the Longhorns with a time of 7:28.046. California placed second in 7:36.483 and Washington posted a time of 7:40.088 to finish third.
A restart hindered the beginning of the Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy and the Texas II Eight was challenged early once racing got underway, with California holding a two-seat lead after the first 250 meters. The Longhorns gained the lead by the 500-meter mark and extended the advantage through the remainder of the course, crossing the line in 6:46.080 to win by a wide margin over runner-up Washington (6:55.123) and California (6:57.247).
The victories by the I Eight, II Eight and Four mark the third-staight year that Texas swept the three events.
Texas closed out the trip to San Diego with a second-place finish in the Carley Copley Cup in the Open Eight, registering a time of 7:03.117, just behind the winner California (7:00.417) with Washington placing third (7:10.622).
Next up, Texas will travel north to race No. 9 Michigan in Belleville Lake on Saturday, April 13.
"The turnaround for next Saturday's race in Michigan will be pretty tight, and we'll definitely be challenged," O'Neill said. "We need to do what we can to be ready for that race and everything moving forward."
RESULTS
I Eight: Jessop-Whittier Cup Invitational
1. TEXAS - 6:23.272
2. California - 6:30.093
3. Washington - 6:38.272
4. Washington State - 6:43.121
5. Notre Dame - 6:47.877
6. San Diego - 6:56.202
7. SMU - 7:00.811
Four: Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup
1. TEXAS - 7:28.046
2. California - 7:36.483
3. Washington - 7:40.088
4. Stanford - 7:50.171
5. Notre Dame - 7:53.374
6. Washington State - 8:05.195
II Eight: Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy
1. TEXAS - 6:46.080
2. Washington - 6:55.123
3. California - 6:57.247
4. Washington State - 7:15.123
5. Notre Dame - 7:19.059
6. SMU - 7:21.119
7. UC San Diego - 7:22.545
8. San Diego - 7:25.201
Open Eight: Carley Copley Cup
1. California- 7:00.417
2. TEXAS - 7:03.117
3. Washington - 7:10.622
4. USC - 7:22.395
5. San Diego - 7:42.927
6. UC San Diego - 7:55.373
LINEUPS
I Eight: Carly Legenzowski (c), Mette Nielsen (stroke), Lanie Nitsch, Anna Jensen, Etta Carpender, Marg Van der Wal, Parker Illingworth, Cassandre Korvink-Kucinski, Abby Dawson (bow)
Four: Paris West (c), Ellie Rodriguez (stroke), Phoebe Robinson, Katherine Nordheim, Lucy Searle (bow)
II Eight: Amy Werner (c), Sue Holderness (stroke), Anna Garrison, Rhiannon Luke, Allie Alton, Phoebe Wise, Taryn Kooyers, Savvy Jerome, Paula Becher (bow)
Open Eight: Alex Taylor (c), Alex Rollins (stroke), Daniela Thiermann, Salma Dessouky, Hailey Easterly, Harriet Wallace, Yasmin Howe, Chloe Cooper, Grace Edgar (bow)
Players Mentioned
