Rowing / April 13, 2006

Hurricanes Travel to Tennessee This Weekend for 39th SIRA Regatta

April 13, 2006

CORAL GABLES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Fla.– The University of Miami rowing team will be back on the water this weekend in Oak Ridge, Tenn. for the 39th running of the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championship Regatta. <?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

After a short week of practice, the Hurricanes will row against some strong competition with heats beginning Friday, April 14 and finals being held on Saturday, April 15. This will be the last regatta that UM rows in before the ACC Championships on April 22.

“SIRAs will be an excellent lead-in to the ACC Championships next weekend,” said head coach Debra Morgan. “The size and scope of the regatta will give the athletes a chance to perform under pressure one last time before our conference regatta.”

The SIRA Championships are hosted by the Oak Ridge Rowing Association and will feature events in both men’s and women’s categories. SIRA members are located throughout the states of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

UM’s Varsity eight will face 13 other schools as they try to win their second championship of the season. The task won’t be an easy one as entries from SacramentoState, DavidsonCollege, Jacksonville, Kansas St., Purdue, SMU, Tulsa, Cincinnati, Kansas, Louisville, North Carolina, WarrenWilsonCollege and West VirginiaUniversity look to spoil the Hurricanes’ bid. The winners from each of the three heats will qualify for the Grand Final with the rest of the field going to three repechages and the winners from those races go to the Grand Final.

Miami’s Varsity four will race against 26 other teams who will be divided into five heats with the top three finishers moving on to the semi-finals. From there, the top two finishers qualify for the Grand Final. The field includes entries from Auburn, Barry, Charleston College, William and Mary, Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech, Georgia State, Kansas State, Murray State, Northwestern State, Nova Southeastern, Ohio University, Rollins, Sewanee College, Stetson, Texas Crew, University of Georgia, UC San Diego, University of Charleston, Cincinnati, Kansas, Louisville, Miami, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forrest, and West Virginia

Miami’s Junior Varsity eight will face 11 foes with the top three from each of the two semi-finals qualifying for the Grand Final. Opponents are from SacramentoState, Grand Valley University, Kansas State, Purdue, SMU, Tulsa, Cincinnati, Kansas, Louisville, North Carolina and WashingtonUniversity.

The Hurricanes’ Novice four will go against 30 other teams including crews from Georgia Tech, NC State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Stay tuned to www.hurricanesports.com for up-to-date Miami Rowing news, results and recaps.

SIRA Championship Lineups:

Varsity 8

Laura Comeau (Cox)