March 16, 2014
MADISON, Wis. –- It was just a start to the 2014 Wisconsin women’s openweight rowing season, but the Badgers finished off their second day of the spring on the water with four more victories on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. UW was competing at the Cardinal Invitational at the start of its spring break.
“We rowed ok,” said head coach Bebe Bryans. “Most of the boats did a pretty good job. Not quite as sharp and clean as yesterday believe it or not. I think overall, most of our boats got a little bit faster. They did a good job.”
UW’s top boat, with a switch at stroke from yesterday’s race, crossed the 2000-meter finish line in 6:50.200, just over 6.5 seconds ahead of second-place Tennessee. Kansas and West Virginia were distant third and fourth-place boats.
The second varsity eight posted a faster time than the varsity eight, clocking 6:47.700, which was over 8.5 seconds faster than second-place Kansas. Tennessee was a close third, under a second behind the Jayhawks. West Virginia raced as the caboose.
“The varsity eight struggled a little bit and that is something we are immediately addressing,” analyzed Bryans. “That’s why we are here -- to figure these things out and figure out who should be in the boat. Who is going to prevail and make it go fast the most often?”
The varsity four and second varsity four boats rounded out UW’s perfect weekend with wins of their own.
After a week training during spring break in Oak Ridge, Tenn., the Badgers will next race March 29 at the Pac-12 Challenge in Redwood City, Calif.
“Now the good, fun hard work begins,” Bryans said. “I’m glad we got the opportunity to race. Thank you very much to Louisville for organizing this whole thing and thanks to our competitors to help us get going.”
Cardinal Invite
Melton Hill Lake
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
March 16, 2014
2000 meters
Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 6:50.200; 2. Tennessee, 6:56.731; 3. Kansas, 7:02.626; 4. West Virginia, 7:14.165
Coxswain Marie Hebert, Gillian Cooper, Anne Rauschert, Steph Malchine, Brianna Dahm, Pamela Schommer, Kristine Kammers, Margo Grover, Monica Whitehouse
Second Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 6:47.700; 2. Kansas, 6:56.446; 3. Tennessee, 6:57.118; 4. West Virginia, 7:17.650
Coxswain Katherine Moy, Nicole Hettmann, Sophie Heywood, Libby O'Rourke, Frances LaBudda, Katie Muench, Laine Maher, Hannah Schwartz, Rachel Gendreau
Varsity Four
1. Wisconsin, 7:25.700; 2. Kansas, 7:29.278; 3. Tennessee, 7:42.997; 4. West Virginia, 7:57.790
Coxswain Katherine Condon, Elizabeth Schoenfeldt, Anna Knutson, Kelly McGarry, Jena Wilder
Second Varsity Four
1. Wisconsin, 7:40.700; 2. Kansas, 7:52.766; 3. West Virginia, 8:19.828; 4. Tennessee, 8:27.313
Coxswain Elissa Raduazzo, Merritt Denham, Sophie Carr, Claire Scott, Marlee Piette
