Hurricanes Rowers Conclude Season at Aramark Sprints

May 16, 2010

Complete Sunday Results (PDF) | Final Aramark Sprints Points/Standings (PDF)

Oak Ridge, Tenn. – The University of Miami rowing team pulled together a second place finish in the Varsity 8+ “D” finals on Sunday, concluding the 2009-10 UM rowing season at the Aramark South/Central Regional Championships at Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The event was hosted by the University of Tennessee.

After facing some of the best racing in the country Saturday, the Hurricanes went into Sunday’s action knowing exactly what to expect. The `Canes were seeded fifth going into the “D” finals, but came away with positive results after posting good finishes in opening-day action.

UM would take part in just one race on Sunday, the varsity eight “D” finals. Hurricanes head rowing coach Andrew Carter, in just his first year guiding the UM program, saw positive signs on Saturday, and expected Sunday to be even better.

Miami got out to a nice pace early-on in the race, and started executing the plan designed by the UM coaching staff. SMU led from beginning-to-end, however, and did a great job not allowing the other teams get into the Mustangs game plan.

Miami kept pace with SMU much of the race, until the Mustangs pulled away for good towards the latter stages of the race.

Miami finished with a second place time of 6:56.00, while SMU took the win in 6:53.84. Crossing in third place was Kansas (6:59.43), while fourth place was enjoyed by Kansas State (7:02.11). Dayton came in fifth at 7:08.69, and it was Eastern Michigan rounding out the order in sixth, crossing the line at 7:18.24.

“I think the team did a pretty good job today,” stated Carter. “The team managed the race with the plan we had discussed earlier, and they were patient with the approach. They executed almost exactly the way we discussed it. It was a pretty good outing for us today.”

Miami ended the Aramark Sprints with a total of 45 points, holding that number in both the overall and South Region final standings. That allowed Carter and his staff to see the signs are bright for the future of the UM rowing program heading into next season.

“I’m sorry the season is over because the team is learning more and more each time they get to the starting line,” said Carter. “We keep nailing more paths, and they’re really getting the hang of what we’re teaching them.

“We’re looking forward to next year, and we’re all excited about the incoming class for next season as well. We have new expectations as a team, and we’re starting to get things going in the right direction. As much as we all need a breather right now after a long year, we’re just excited about what’s on the horizon for the Hurricanes program.”

The University of Virginia took the Aramark Sprints title, earning 451 points in the two-day event. They were followed by Wisconsin (405), Michigan State (387), Michigan (386) and Clemson (369) to round out the top five finishers. In the final South Region standings, it was Virginia, Clemson, Tennessee (312), UCF (219) and Texas (217) posting the top five finishing order.

For more information on the Aramark South/Central Regional Championships, please visit www.utladyvols.com.

For more information on the University of Miami rowing team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, results and information regarding the Hurricanes rowing program.