The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
San Diego Crew Classic
No. 1 Rowing sweeps four races on first day of San Diego Crew Classic
03.29.2025 | Rowing
The Longhorns went undefeated and advanced all four boats to grand finals in the first regatta of the season.
SAN DIEGO – No. 1 Texas Rowing opened the 2025 season by sweeping four races at the San Diego Crew Classic on the Fiesta Bay-Crown Point Shores of Mission Bay Park Saturday, advancing all boats to grand finals.
In Texas' first race of the regatta, the I Eight commenced the season in a scorching 6:14.742 to win the first heat of the Jessop-Whittier Cup Invitational. The Longhorns dismantled the field, finishing over 15 seconds ahead of runner-up Southern California (6:29.748). Washington State (3rd-6:30.227), UC-San Diego (4th-6:40.686) and San Diego (5th-6:42.347) followed. In Sunday's grand final, Texas will be the No. 2 seed after Washington posted the fastest time (6:14.383) between the two heats. Last season, UT's First Eight won its heat in 6:27.626 to advance to the grand final.
"Today was a solid start to the season's racing," head coach Dave O'Neill said. "While there have been signs we can be a decent team, you never truly know until they line up and race for real. There's plenty of room for growth with this team, and that will be the expectation regardless of tomorrow's result."
The Longhorn First Varsity Four won its heat in the Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup after crossing the finish line in 7:15.177, beating out second-place Southern California (7:35.242), third-place Notre Dame (7:43.899) and fourth-place San Diego (7:57.966). Sacramento State did not finish the event. UT will hold the No. 2 seed in the grand final on Sunday.
Texas' II Eight cruised to a triumphant victory in its heat, winning in 6:35.182. The Horns took down second-place Southern California (6:48.825), third-place San Diego (6:55.373), fourth-place Washington State (7:00.739) and fifth-place Sacramento State (7:06.378).
UT's Open Eight wrapped up the day with a win in the Carley Copley Cup prelim, recording a final time of 6:34.843. California finished second in 6:40.023, followed by third-place Washington (6:40.853), fourth-place Notre Dame (7:04.547), fifth-place UCLA (7:15.494) and sixth-place California (7:35.147).
The San Diego Crew Classic concludes Sunday with the Longhorns set to begin racing at 11:30 a.m. CT (9:30 a.m. PT).
Lineups
I Eight: Amy Werner (Cox), Sue Holderness, IIva Boone, Marg Van der Wal, Allie Alton, Phoebe Wise, Abby Dawson, Lucy Searle and Imy Grey.
II Eight: Emma Williams (Cox), Rhiannon Luke, Paula Becher, Phoebe Robinson, Taryn Kooyers, Savvy Jerome, Amelia Gleed, Holly Davis and Anna Garrison.
III Eight: Evelyn Orsic (Cox), Alex Rollins, Katelyn Semien, Lucy McFarlane, Chloe Cooper, Yasmin Howe, Aubrey Muirhead, Salma Dessouky and Daniela Thiermann.
Four: Ava Barnhart (Cox), Ellie Rodriguez, Jess Colbran, Katherine Nordheim and Ioanna Asvesta.
Race Schedule
Sunday, March 30
I Eight: Women's Collegiate Varsity Jessop-Whittier Cup Invitational
- Final – 11:30 a.m. CT/9:30 a.m. PT
II Eight: Women's Collegiate 2V Jackie Ann Stitt Hungness Trophy
- Final – 12:22 p.m. CT/10:22 a.m. PT
Four: Women's Collegiate Varsity 4+ Karen Plumleigh Cortney Cup
- Final – 12:14 p.m. CT/10:14 a.m. PT
III Eight: Women's Open Carley Copley Cup
- Final – 1:26 p.m. CT/11:26 a.m. PT
Players Mentioned
