March 15, 2014

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin women's openweight rowing team broke the ice on its 2014 season on Saturday at the Cardinal Invite, taking all four races against boats from Kansas and Alabama. Racing took place on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Head coach Bebe Bryans described the conditions on Wisconsin's first day on the water since winter training in early January in Florida, "It was a beautiful day for rowing! We had a great first practice in the morning and racing in the afternoon. It was a warm and sunny day, and surprisingly good rowing.

Racing against a couple of more southerly schools, Wisconsin took advantage of temperatures in the low 60s to make a successful season debut with wins by its varsity eight, second varsity eight, varsity four and second varsity four boats. In each race, it was Wisconsin, then Kansas boats finishing second, before Alabama crossed the 2000-meter finish line.

UW's top boat, its varsity eight, posted a time of 6:41.00 to put over 18 seconds on second-place Kansas. The Badger second varsity eight put up a nearly identical margin of victory with a win by over 18 seconds against the Jayhawks.
 
"We are happy with the racing today," said Bryans. "It was good to see technical changes made inside hold up to the test of the water and the boat. It was a strong start to the trip!"

Wisconsin continues at the Cardinal Invite on Sunday, taking on crews from Tennessee, West Virginia and Kansas.

Cardinal Invite
Melton Hill Lake
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
March 15, 2014
2000 meters

Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 6:41.00; 2. Kansas, 6:59.359; 3. Alabama, 7:06.950
UW Lineup: Coxswain Marie Hebert, Nicole Hettmann, Anne Rauschert, Steph Malchine, Brianna Dahm, Pamela Schommer, Kristine Kammers, Margo Grover, Monica Whitehouse

Second Varsity Eight
1. Wisconsin, 6:49.000; 2. Kansas, 7:07.960; 3. Alabama, 7:15.630
UW Lineup: Coxswain Katherine Condon, Gillian Cooper, Sophie Heywood, Libby O'Rourke, Frances LaBudda, Katie Muench, Laine Maher, Hannah Schwartz, Rachel Gendreau

Varsity Four
1. Wisconsin, 7:26.200; 2. Kansas, 7:35.982; 3. Alabama, 8:10.325
UW Lineup: Coxswain Katherine Moy, Elizabeth Schoenfeldt, Anna Knutson, Kelly McGarry, Jena Wilder

Second Varsity Four
1. Wisconsin, 7:50.300; 2. Kansas A, 8:01.620; 3. Kansas B, 8:19.449; 4. Alabama, 8:28.720
UW Lineup: Coxswain Elissa Raduazzo, Kelsey Kramer, Sophie Carr, Claire Scott, Marlee Piette