Lightweight women's four claims silver at national championships
May 31, 2015 | Lightweight Rowing
West Windsor, N.J. --- The Wisconsin women's lightweight varsity four took home the Badgers' second medal of the 2015 Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships when it won silver Sunday on Mercer Lake.
Entering as the four-time defending champions in the event, Wisconsin was knocked off by Stanford. The Cardinal clocked 7:20.404 to win the race. The Badgers grabbed the second spot in a tight battle for the medals. UW's time of 7:24.225 over 2000 meters bested bronze-medalist Princeton's time of 7:25.094. Boston University placed fourth in 7:25.592.
"The four raced in a steaming fast final," lightweight coach Lisa Schlenker stated. "This four was faster than last year yet places 2-5 were separated by only 1.5 seconds.
"They battled from fifth place at the start. Through the body of the race they hunted for higher placing. One stroke at a time they walked within striking distance. It wasn't until the officials reviewed the photo finish we found out Wisconsin took silver."
Wisconsin's headlining lightweight eight finished its season fifth, matching their ranking entering the weekend. Stanford won the national title for the fifth time in six years, winning by nearly three seconds over defending champion Radcliffe.
"They had a gutsy first 1000 meters and did everything to hold onto their position for the second 1000, but they just couldn't," Schlenker explained. "In a boat comprised of two freshmen, one sophomore, one junior and four seniors, Wisconsin lights are on the climb back to the podium.
"This was a stronger year than last. Their training and racing savvy certainly was tested this weekend, but huge strides were made since Sprints."
Wisconsin did win one gold medal, but that was on Saturday. Its entry in the inaugural lightweight women's double took first to give Wisconsin at least one gold medal at IRAs for five consecutive years.
2015 IRA National Championships
West Windsor, N.J.
Mercer Lake
May 31, 2015
2,000 meters
Varsity Lightweight Eight
Grand Final
1. Stanford, 6:32.236; 2. Radcliffe, 6:35.133; 3. Boston University, 6:36.018; 4. Princeton, 6:38.537; 5. Wisconsin, 6:44.110; 6. Georgetown, 6:59.269
UW Lineup -- Coxswain Brianna Murphy, Megan Oechsel, Jennifer Kish, Lara Tiramani, Gretchen Miron, Katie Rosoff, Nicole Bowman, Brianna Wynne, Helena Randle
Varsity Lightweight Four
Grand Final
1. Stanford, 7:20.404; 2. Wisconsin, 7:24.225; 3. Princeton, 7:25.094; 4. Boston University, 7:24.582; 5. Radcliffe, 7:26.722; 6. MIT, 7:54.063
UW Lineup -- Coxswain Tenzin Khangkar, Mackenzie Whiteside, Mirha Girt, Olivia Meehan, Beatrix Tobey
Varsity Lightweight Double Sculls (From Saturday)
Grand Final
1. Wisconsin, 7:38.115; 2. Stanford, 7:42.455; 3. Boston University, 7:50.758; 4. Radcliffe, 7:54.337; 5. Oklahoma City, 7:58.180; 6. Princeton, 7:59.522; 7. MIT, 8:29.398
UW Lineup -- Gabriela Purman, Julia Glueck
