MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin women's rowing team kicked off its 2019 fall season Saturday with an in-state trip east for the 19th annual Milwaukee River Challenge where over 900 athletes compete on the Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers.
 
Despite three miles of rough waters, Wisconsin won its first race of the season by the freshman lineup in the open eight. The two other open eight UW boats took second and fourth, while all five boats in the open four were just shy of stealing first from Lincoln Park Boat Club, taking second instead and filing in one after another.

The winning UW open eight included coxswain Paula Filios, Katherine Breen, Masa Bezbradica, Oona Lawson, Lauren O'Connor, Allison Elli, Margaret Czech, Claire Donlan and Sky Teegan.

Straight from the river
Openweight assistant coach Jim Mitchell
"We raced in two events today at the Milwaukee River Challenge, the Open Women's Four, and the Open Women's Eight. Our lineups comprised mostly of our freshmen and sophomore classes, on a windy day in Milwaukee."
 
On the fours
"Our boats raced okay for their first races of the year, and the freshmen's first race as Badgers. We finished places two through six behind an experienced and fast Lincoln Park four, with a sophomore line up leading the way for the Badgers."
 
On the eights
"After the first race, we were able to shake off the first race nerves and try to push their limits a little more. All three Eights raced more aggressively, and the freshmen lineup was able to earn their first win as Badgers. We were pleased with the way the boats responded, and really look forward to see what our team can do this year. It was a good day for the freshmen and sophomore classes."

Up next: 
Wisconsin heads to Indiana to scrimmage Iowa and Indiana Oct. 4-5.

Milwaukee River Challenge
Sept. 21, 2019
Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers
3 miles

Women's Open Four
1. Lincoln Park Boat Club A, 19:11.14; 2. Wisconsin B, 19:14.44; 3. Wisconsin D, 19:25.13; 4. Wisconsin A, 19:32.04; 5. Wisconsin E, 19:41.14; 6. Wisconsin C, 19:56.84

UW Lineups
A – Coxswain Paula Filios, Katherine Breen, Lauren O'Connor, Oona Lawson, Masa Bezbradica
B – Coxswain Emily McDermott, Jackie Garwood, Adrienne Kisting, Olivia Bratzke, Jenny Haus
C – Coxswain Kiana Montalvo, Katherine Cahill, Sky Teegan, Claire Donlan, Julia DiNapoli
D – Coxswain Delicia Iremonger, Ashley Wright, Brandi Gueths, Sabrina Andringa, Sophie Henshue
E – Coxswain Alex Bogner, Kendra Davis, Allison Elli, Margaret Czech, Greta Drane
 
Women's Open Eight
1.Wisconsin B, 17:08.90; 2. Wisconsin A, 17:14.83; Lincoln Park Boat Club A, 17:45.96; Wisconsin C, 18:20.68

UW Lineups
A – Coxswain Delicia Iremonger, Jackie Garwood, Adrienne Kisting, Sabrina Andringa, Brandi Gueths, Ashley Wright, Sophie Henshue, Olivia Bratzke, Jenny Haus
B – Coxswain Paula Filios, Katherine Breen, Masa Bezbradica, Oona Lawson, Lauren O'Connor, Allison Elli, Margaret Czech, Claire Donlan, Sky Teegan
C – Coxswain Emily McDermott, Katherine Cahill, Kendra Davis, Mackay Johnson, Sophie Elworthy, Madeleine Beauvais, Becca Sands, Greta Drane, Julia DiNapoli