UM Opens Season with Wins over Dowling, Rochester

UM Opens Season with Wins over Dowling, Rochester

March 11, 2009

Miami Beach, Fla. – Miami got great aid from a variety of rowers, including Marleena Eyre, Rachael Sporko and Laura Cordner, to help the Hurricanes rowing team collect a sweep of all races against Dowling College and the University of Rochester on Wednesday morning on the Indian Creek Waterway in Miami Beach, Fla.

The races began at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning with plenty of sun and a temperature of 73 degrees. The winds had a slight cross headwind coming across the Indian Creek Waterway during the 2,000-meter course.

UM opened the day with the Varsity Eight taking a time of 6:52.06 to blow by Dowling (7:14.86) and Rochester (7:16.78). Miami got the win from the team of Marleena Eyre (bow), Monika Sajincic (2), Camilla Espana (3), Emily Wingrove (4), Sarah Medland (5), Laura Cordner (6), Rachael Sporko (7), Frida Schneider (stroke) and Shira Kharrazi (coxswain).

“I was very happy with our performance today,” expressed second-year head coach Robbie Tenenbaum. “Our team came out with the goal of opening up a lead early, and we were able to do that in both races. We know that we still have some work to do, but this was a very nice first step. Our team’s incredible work ethic is paying off.”

The Varsity Four race saw two UM crews go against Dowling.

The Hurricanes’ First Varsity Four took the win on the strength of a 7:39.84 mark, while the Second Varsity Four of the `Canes followed in second (7:58.81). Dowling finished in third with their First Varsity Four crossing at 9:36.01.

The `Canes First Varsity Four rowed Nic Saner (bow), Karalyn Van Aken (2), Stephanie Parrish (3), Kate Rickers (stroke) and Heather Hollembeak (coxswain). Meanwhile, the Second Varsity Four used Christina Mena (bow), Ally Hodgkins (2), Theresa Recicar (3), Tara Eddings (stroke) and Alexa Romero (coxswain).

“This was a great first test of our 2,000-meter race plan, and we are looking forward to our race tomorrow morning against Connecticut,” stated Tenenbaum. “The Huskies have been here in Miami Beach all week for spring training practice. UConn is a well coached team, and they have a great group of athletes on their team. We know they will present some strong competition on the water tomorrow morning.”

Miami gets back to the water tomorrow with a head-to-head race with Connecticut back on the Indian Creek Waterway in Miami Beach. The time of the race is set for 8 a.m. Admission is free for all to enjoy.

All of the races with UConn will be two boat races, beginning with the First Varsity Eight at 8 a.m. That will be followed by the Second Varsity Eight (8:15 am), continued with the Varsity Four (8:30 am), and finally concluding with the Novice Eight (8:45 am).

For more information on the University of Miami rowing team, please visit www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, please navigate to the Women’s Rowing homepage.

UM Boating vs. UConn…
1st Varsity 8
Bow: Marleena Eyre
2: Monika Sajincic
3: Camilla Espana
4: Emily Wingrove
5: Sarah Medland
6: Laura Cordner
7: Rachael Sporko
Stroke: Frida Schneider
Coxswain: Shira Kharrazi

2nd Varsity 8
Bow: Alexa McCanick
2: Lizzy Elner
3: Molly Thornton
4: Isabelle Prosser
5: Nic Saner
6: Karalyn Van Aken
7: Stephanie Parrish
Stroke: Kate Rickers
Coxswain: Christina Crocco

Varsity 4
Bow: Christina Mena
2: Ally Hodgkins
3: Theresa Recicar
Stroke: Tara Eddings
Coxswain: Alexa Romero

Novice
Bow: Stephanie Kane
2: Nicole Miller
3: Kate Hall
4: Victoria Uribe
5: Julie Creamer
6: Morgan Visalli
7: Maria Siemann
Stroke: Natalie Snyder
Coxswain: Tiara Brown