Rowing / November 13, 2006

Women's Rowing Showed Speed at the Rivanna Romp

Nov. 13, 2006

Charlottesville, Va. – The University of Miami women’s rowing team competed in the Rivanna Romp yesterday morning in Charlottesville, Va. Race officials failed to record race times, forcing a re-row.

Senior Sarah Conlon, stroke seat of the Varsity eight and who was suffering from a stomach virus, was unable to race a second time. This caused line-up changes in all three Miami eights for the re-row. In addition, the re-row of the eights caused the cancellation of the small boat events.

“The Romp was the culmination of our fall training”, stated head coach Debra Morgan. “So to not get results from this race was definitely anticlimactic”.

“All three of our eights had great performances during their first race this morning. Obviously, we were disappointed that the times were not recorded.”

Rachel Sporko stated, “I was really impressed with our team when we found out we had to re-race the eights. Our attitude was ‘Let’s beat them again.’ “

Despite the changes, the varsity eight clocked in at 13:54.65 ahead of UCF, Wisconsin, Clemson, and Texas.

“The athletes made the best of the situation”, commented Morgan. “Racing line-ups that have never rowed together definitely presented some challenges.”

“Our team accepted the pressure for not only a rescheduled eight race, but every eight experiencing a new line-up. We could not have asked anything more from our rowers”, stated senior Sarah Conlon.

The line-up changes did not play in favor of the junior varsity eight and third varsity eight.

“The line up changes in the JV eight and the third varsity eight proved to be too drastic for them to be able to put together the kind of strokes they did in the first race”, said coach Morgan.

JV eight finished 25th place with a time of 14:35.43, while the third varsity eight took 28th Place at 15: 39.07.

“Sarah Stocks stated, “Our boat really came together, and we realized that all of our hard training this fall has made us fit and powerful.

” Our team performed with confidence and excitement as we entered our last race of the season.”, said Marenda Chamberlin.

Senior Keren Wiley stated, “The entire Miami rowing team got the confidence needed to enter a spring racing season fit, excited, and ready to dominate.”

Miami’s spring season will get underway as they head to Sarasota, Fla., to compete in a race against Yale University.

“We’re looking forward to the spring and more opportunities to race the crews we competed against today”, said Morgan.

Varsity Eight Starters () Indicate original starters before changes were made.

Coxswain: Megan Leydecker

8 Seat: Beth Krawec (from Sarah Conlon

7 Seat: Karen Wiley

6 Seat: Laura Coltman

5 Seat: Emy Huntsman

4 Seat: Rachael Sporko

3 Seat: Laura Cordner

2 Seat: Kelly Amsler

Bow Seat: Natasha Lejer