Sept. 19, 2015

MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin women's rowing team started the fall season strong on Saturday at the Milwaukee River Challenge with top finishes in the open four and open eight highlighting the day.

Including the first-place finishes in the open four and open eight, Wisconsin claimed eight of the top 10 spots between the two races, making it a strong all-around day for the younger rowers according to lightweight coach Dusty Mattison.

"The emphasis this year is on building a foundation first," Mattison said. "At the Milwaukee River Challenge, the freshmen and sophomores executed extremely well, which produced a high-level performance from each boat. Most individuals raced twice which allowed them to apply what they learned in the fours to the eights."

In the open eight, Wisconsin placed two boats on the podium, with the Wisconsin A and Wisconsin B boats grabbing first and second respectively. The Wisconsin A boat crossed the line with a time of 16:57.30 for three miles, while Wisconsin B finished in 17:15.61.

Finishing fourth was Wisconsin D (17:41.81), while Wisconsin C took fifth (17:50.18) and Wisconsin E took ninth (19:04.78).

The only other team to place in the top five was Lincoln Park Boat Club with a bronze finish in 17:40.64.

In the open four, Wisconsin displayed another impressive showing with four of the top five spots, including first and third finishes.

Again it was the Wisconsin A boat leading the way with a first place finish in a time of 18:18.30. Wisconsin C came in third place at 18:50.78.

The Wisconsin B and Wisconsin D boats rounded out the top five with fourth and fifth-place finishes, respectively. Wisconsin B registered a time of 18:53.58, while Wisconsin D was right behind at 18:57.86, with seven seconds separating the three places.

Wisconsin E finished eighth in a time of 19:53.14, and Wisconsin F rounded out the Badger boats with a time of 20:51.25, good for 15th place.

Lincoln Park Boat Club rounded out the top three with a second-place finish (18:26.11).

"Overall, the feeling from the team is that they are very excited to continue with fall racing and see how they progress from race to race," Mattison said. "It was a great day for being a Badger."

Wisconsin will hold its annual Class Day Regatta next Saturday, with its next competition set for Oct. 11 at the Head of the Rock in Rockford, Illinois.

Milwaukee River Challenge
Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers
Milwaukee
Sept. 19, 2015
3 miles

Open Eight (20 total entries)
1. Wisconsin A, 16:57.30; 2. Wisconsin B, 17:15.61; 3. Lincoln Park Boat Club A, 17:40.64; 4. Wisconsin D, 17:41.81; 5. Wisconsin C, 17:50.18; 9. Wisconsin E, 19:04.78.

UW Lineups
A - Coxswain Lily Hansen, Megan Whitehouse, Gabby Simons, Monica Gerber, Cheyenne Brandt, Morganne Freeman, Callie Hebert, Lexi Silverling, Maren Schultz
B (lights) - Coxswain Eleanor Martin, Janet Titzler, Mirha Girt, Katie Ruffalo, Brianna Wynne, Aviah Stillman, Sonja Liljegren, Jennifer Whitehill, Emma Rowell
C - Coxswain Beth Yudelman, Lucy Chadderton, Diana Glinos, Jessie Bowden, Lexi Tead, Meagan Hudson, Natalie Treister, Molly Romaniak, Emma Strenski
D (light novice) - Coxswain Juliette Miller, Claire Kelley, Sara Hamilton, Dominica Wardell, Stephanie Meder, Marilyn Garberg, Payton James, Ariel Tallo, Jessica Sims
E (light novice) - Coxswain Sarah Herman, Anna Dawley, Shannon Lipe, Stephanie Browne, Megan Gannon, Parker Barry, Katherine Kerwin, Maddie Boxer, Maureen Butler

Open Four (25 total entries)
1. Wisconsin A, 18:18.80; 2. Lincoln Park Boat Club A, 18:26.11; 3. Wisconsin C, 18:50.78; 4. Wisconsin B, 18:53.58; 5. Wisconsin D, 18:57.86; 8. Wisconsin E, 19:53.14; 15. Wisconsin F, 20:51.25.

UW Lineups
A - Coxswain Lily Hansen, Marissa Gibson, Lexi Silverling, Gabby Simons, Megan Whitehouse
B (lightS) - Coxswain Eleanor Martin, Katie Ruffalo, Mirha Girt, Brianna Wynne, Emma Rowell
C (novice) - Coxswain Jane Merriman, Sarah Roe, Alison Morrison, Alicia Evans, Renee Olley
D (light novice) - Coxswain Juliette Miller, Claire Kelley, Stephanie Meder, Dominica Wardell, Marilyn Garberg
E (novice) - Coxswain Saylor Martin, Eliza Clifford, Niamh Martin, Sarah Gibbons, Charlie Childs
F (lights) - Coxswain Sarah Herman, Rachel Yan, Cecily Linsenmeyer, Aviah Stillman, Megan Gannon