Spring Season Rowing Preview
March 1, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla.-The University of Miami rowing team warms up for the spring season when they head to Tampa, Fl., to face the Michigan Wolverines in an exhibition at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Many new Hurricanes will make their rowing debut this season, as the `Canes are one of the youngest teams in the ACC. An official NCAA event requires 23 rowers and the Hurricanes have 17 freshmen on the roster, meaning many freshmen will row in competition immediately. Head Coach Andrew Carter expects many of freshmen to have instant impact on the squad.
“They [the freshmen] had a terrific fall. When we went to the Head of the Hooch Regatta, we were able to row them in their division, which is a freshman division, and they were able to win against all comers at that regatta, which is the largest headrace in America. So I think there is a lot of hope moving forward. But in the spring, we’re obliged to race crews in those three NCAA events on a weekly basis, so what we have to do is throw them to the wolves this spring; they have to go race against the big kids.”
The ‘Canes do return some very successful rowers from last season, including All-ACC Rower Sarah Medland and sophomore standout Theresa Recicar.
“I think Sarah is certainly one of the stronger women on the team. She’s being challenged on the water during some time trials by Katalin Horvath, who’s a sophomore, and Theresa Recicar, another one of our captains, who’s doing a fantastic job. It’s fun to watch,” said Carter.
On April 9th, the rowing team travels to Camden, N.J., to row on the Cooper River for their first Regatta of the season, the Knecht Cup. The event, which takes place from Saturday to Sunday, is expected to have more than 50 different schools competing.
After a week hiatus, Miami heads up Clemson, S.C. for the ACC Championships, where they look to improve on their sixth-place finish from a year ago.
The ‘Canes close out April when they travel to Orlando to take on UCF in their second regular-season dual competition. The `Canes then finish the regular-season with the Oak Ridge Invitational in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The NCAA rowing season concludes with the NCAA championships, which take place from May 27-29 in Gold River, Calif.
The Canes take on Connecticut on March 12 in another exhibition on their home course in North Miami Beach before heading to Norfolk, Va. to face Old Dominion in a dual meet to kick off the regular season.
The `Canes will use their newly christened boats, the “Connie Nickel” and the “Mary Louise” against the Wolverines.
For more information on the University of Miami rowing team, please contact the University of Miami Sports Media Relations Office at (305) 284-3244. You can also log on to www.hurricanesports.com for further details.