Hurricanes Turn In Solid Results at the Head of the Hooch

Nov. 6, 2005

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GAINESVILLE, Ga. – The University of Miami rowing team turned in solid results, claiming two gold medals in the final day of competition, at the 25^th Annual Head of the Hooch Regatta that took place Saturday and Sunday in Gainesville, Ga. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

 “Overall, it was a really good weekend,” said head coach Debra Morgan. “This weekend showed that we have a lot of depth. We’re getting positive feedback from all the work that they are putting in. I’m really happy with the results.”

Miami opened the regatta with a fifth place finish in the championship 8+ with a time of 16:34.50, only six seconds behind first place finisher Tennessee. The Hurricanes were also merely two seconds behind in-state rival UCF, who finished fourth in a time of 16:32.50.

The Hurricanes then claimed bronze medals in both the double and quad events. The double boat of Laura Cordner and Sarah Stocks crossed the finish line in third place with a time of 19:01.20.

Miami placed all of its quad boats in the Top 13 including the bronze medalist crew of Meghan Leydecker, Marenda Chamberlin, Kelly Amsler, Marleena Eyre and Bethany Krawec, who crossed the finish in a time of 19:23.50.

Sunday’s conditions were difficult in the first 3,000 meters of the course for the singles, eights and quads. Hampered by a strong head wind, the rowers had to deal with tough conditions that included big waves and choppy water.

Rachel Clausing was Miami’s top finisher in the singles event when she crossed the finish line in a time of 22:44.60 for fourth place.

The varsity eight crew of Laura Comeau – Cox, Marenda Chamberlin, Kelly Amsler, Marleena Eyre, Laura Coltman, Molly Wilson, Rachel Sporko, Elizabeth Skidmore and Jaquelene Heywood

claimed Miami’s first gold medal of the regatta with a time of 18:23. 10.

Miami’s crew of Emy Huntsman, Natasha Lejer, Bethany Krawec and Taurii Coyne also claimed a gold medal when they finish first in the quad, in a time of 18:52.80, ahead of Atlantic Coast Conference foe Duke.

Miami finished fifth in the Hooch Collegiate Points Trophy standings with 355 total points. Five ACC teams finished in the Top Five, including Duke (1^st, 623pts.), NC State (3^rd, 585pts.) and Georgia Tech (4^th; 435pts.).  The Hurricanes finished fourth in the ACC Point Trophy Standings.

The Head of the Hooch, considered “the premier head race of the southeast”, is a 5000m (3 mile) head race on the Tennessee River ending at Ross’s LandingPark in Chattanooga. All boats are started sequentially and race against the clock. The Head of the Hooch is a USRowing registered regatta.

For complete results, log on to www.headofthehooch.org

The Hurricanes return to action Saturday, November 12 at the Florida Fall Classic in Melbourne, Fla.

Head of the Hooch Regatta – Results

Saturday, November 5

~ 11:00am – Champ 8+ ~

5^th, 16:34.50 – (Laura Comeau – Cox; Emy Huntsman; Natasha Lejer; Laura Cordner; Sarah Stocks; Karen Wiley; Sarah Conlon; Kelly Amsler; Bethany Krawec)

13^th , 17:11.1 –  (Jessica Martin – Cox; Marenda Chamberlin; Rachel Clausing; Marleena Eyre; Laura Coltman; Molly Wilson; Rachel Sporko; Elizabeth Skidmore; Taurii Coyne)

~ 2:20pm – 2x ~

3^rd, 19:01.20 – Laura Cordner/Sarah Stocks

8^th, 19:47.30 – Sarah Conlon/Natasha Lejer

9^th, 19:49.10 – Karen Wiley/Emy Huntsman

~ 3:30pm – Champ 4+ ~

3^rd, 19:23.50 – (Meghan Leydecker – Cox; Marenda Chamberlin; Kelly Amsler; Marleena Eyre; Bethany Krawec)

8^th, 20:01.70 – (Jessica Martin – Cox; Valerie Webb; Jaquelene Heywood; Taurii Coyne; Charlotte Hillery)

12^th, 20:14.90 – (Caroline Fernandez – Cox; Sarah Greyer; Meghan Hudson; Justine Lewis;

Madison Nesbitt)

13^th, 20:22.60 – (Jordan Louie – Cox; Laura Coltman; Molly Wilson; Rachel Sporko; Elizabeth Skidmore)

Sunday, November 6

~ 9:30am – 1x ~

4^th, 22:44.6 – Rachel Clausing

6^th, 22:59.0 – Sarah Conlon

8^th, 23:06.7 – Karen Wiley

14^th, 23:56.7 – Emy Huntsman

23^rd, 24:53.50 – Kelly Amsler

~ 10:55am –  8+ ~

1^st, 18:23.1 – (Laura Comeau – Cox; Marenda Chamberlin; Kelly Amsler; Marleena Eyre; Laura Coltman; Molly Wilson; Rachel Sporko; Elizabeth Skidmore; Jaquelene Heywood)

9^th, 18:52.80 – (Jordan Louie – Cox; Valerie Webb; Sarah Greyer; Charlotte Hillary; Meghan White; Meghan Hudson; Justine Lewis; Madison Nesbit; Michelle Pinon)

~ 11:25am – 4x ~

1^st, 18:52.8 – (Emy Huntsman; Natasha Lejer; Bethany Krawec; Taurii Coyne)