CLEMSON, S.C. — The aftermath of the storm caused delays all morning due to debris on the course, but the No. 12 Wisconsin women's varsity eight and the second varsity eight were able to post two outright wins in the morning heats that would have advanced them to the A Final later in the day.
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However, further racing was suspended due to high winds and debris, ultimately leading to the decision to cancel the invitational.
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Despite the weather conditions and debris, early this morning the varsity eight was able to get in one race in Clemson. From lane 4, the Wisconsin crew was down half a boat length in the first 500 and sitting in third place, but a powerful and consistent second 500 lead the way as they walked through all boats to cross the finish line first with a time of 6:48.414. Syracuse closed the gap in the last 250 meters to place second with a time of 6:49.730. These two top boats would have advanced to the A Final.
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The second varsity eight was also able to complete one race from Clemson. Racing from the same lane against the same teams, the UW boat got off the line neck and neck with UCLA a boat length ahead of the rest of the field. The Badgers continued to push and grabbed a solid lead at the 1000-meter mark. UW held the large lead through the line and clocked in at 7:05.565. Tulsa crossed the line in second place over three seconds behind UW in 7:08.771. UW and Tulsa also would have advanced to the A Final.
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All boats were then taken off the water and the rest of the invitational was canceled. The first varsity four and the third varsity eight were unable to race this weekend.
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Straight from the Lake
Head Coach Bebe Bryans
On conditions
"Because of all the rain yesterday, they had to open the dam and it was unseen conditions here today. The people here have never seen conditions like this. There wa a lot of debris on the course. So it was really unfortunate. They couldn't get the course cleared and it was windy enough that it was bad any way.Â
On the racing
"For the racing we did get in, however, I was really pleased with how they both performed. They had to sit and wait a long time to race. The varsity eight was almost out there for two hours before they got to race. It was pretty cold and dark when they got out there, but they came together well with a very good race. We are making progress and that is what we are looking for."
"In the second varsity eight, they rowed strong and rowed steady. Right from the beginning they were able to pull away from the rest of the pack."
"So, we got two wins here today. Even though the results are not official, we saw what we saw and they felt what they felt, so it was definitely worth the trip for us. We are looking forward to moving onto Princeton next weekend."
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Up Next
The Badgers will head back to the east coast on Saturday to take on Princeton, Rutgers and Columbia in Princeton, New Jersey, for the one-day regatta.
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Clemson Invitational
April 19-20
Clemson, S.C.
Lake Hartwell
2000 meters
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Varsity Eight
Saturday V8 Heat 1
1. Wisconsin, 6:48.414; 2. Syracuse, 6:49.730; 3. UCLA, 6:53.612; 4. Navy, 6:56.114; 5. Tulsa, 7:03.030; 6. Penn, 7:06.310; 7. Cornell, 7:15.848
UW Lineup – Coxswain
Saylor Martin,
Alicia Evans,
Eliza Clifford,
Lauren O'Connor,
Sarah Gibbons,
Isa Darvin,
Katherine Grose,
Allie Lohrenz,
Renee Olley
Second Varsity Eight
Saturday 2V8 Heat 1
1. Wisconsin, 7:05.565; 2. Tulsa, 7:08.771; 3. Syracuse, 7:10.909; 4. UCLA, 7:11.949; 5. Penn, 7:16.773; 6. Cornell, 7:17.697; 7. Navy, 7:19.219
UW Lineup – Coxswain
Emma Smith,
Grace Joyce,
Rebekah Armstrong,
Elisabet Pietz,
Abbey Moore-Kneipp,
Adrienne Kisting,
Taylor Caudle,
Charlotte Melcher,
Makayla Stow
Varsity Four - Did not race
UW Lineup -- Coxswain
Maggie Mandarano,
Niamh Martin,
Elizabeth Clarke,
Carissa Witthuhn,
Becca Kite
Third Varsity Eight - Did not race
UW Lineup -- Coxswain
Georgia Norton,
Kendra Davis,
Brandi Gueths,
Jaclyn Garwood,
Maureen Burke,
Sarah Navin,
Emily Hoffins,
Olivia Bratzke,
Morgan Robinson
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