Miami Women's Rowing Faces Yale in Sarasota Scrimmage

March 17, 2003

The University of Miami women’s rowing team competed in a scrimmage against Yale University Sunday morning in Sarasota, FL.

“Today’s scrimmage with Yale was an excellent experience for our crews,” said head coach Debra Morgan. “There is just something about sitting on the starting line next to Yale. “

The UM Varsity Eight raced two Yale Eights comprising two even boats of their Varsity and JV rowers. The workout consisted of four 3-minute pieces at ratings ranging from 24 – 28 strokes per minute. The faster of the two Yale boats won every piece by a boat length. UM finished anywhere from a seat up to even to down by open water on the slower of the Yale boats.

“Yale provided a great challenge and set an example which will aid in the development of our crews,” said assistant coach Cinda Ewton.

The UM JV Eight raced the 3rd Varsity Eight from Yale. They did five 3-minute pieces with ratings from 24 – 32. UM won three of the five races by a seat or two. Yale was up several seats on the other two pieces.

“The experience brings something special out in our rowers that they didn’t necessarily know was inside them,” Morgan said.

UM’s Novice Eight and 2nd Novice Eight competed with Yale’s freshmen eight for three 3-minute pieces and one 2-minute piece at 22, 24, and 26 strokes-per-minute. Yale’s crew finished ahead on all pieces. UM’s best showing occured in the 3rd piece at a 26 stroke rating when the Novice Eight finished bow-to-stern with yale. In 2002, Yale’s Novice Eight was undefeated until the EAWRC Championship. In 2002, UM’s Novice Eight finished 6th at the BIG EAST Championships in Worcester, MA.

“This was a great way to finish our spring break training,” Morgan said.

The Hurricanes will go head-to-head with UConn in their first Spring home event in Miami Beach Saturday March 22. Look for the results on hurricanesports.com.