Indiana University Athletics
IU Opens Spring by Winning the Varsity 8 (3-27
3/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing
Raleigh, N.C. - The Indiana rowing team opened its spring season today against North Carolina and Georgetown on Lake Wheeler in Raleigh, N.C. The Hoosiers competed in five races on the morning, with the Varsity 8 posting a first place finish.
The Hoosiers had a strong performance after overcoming the adversity of a 16-hour bus trip on Friday afternoon. Head coach Steve Peterson was pleased with the way the Hoosiers responded to have great races on Saturday.
The first event of the day was the Novice 4. Representing Indiana was coxswain Heather Weiner, McKenzie Elston, Rachael McLeon, Richelle Medellin, and Hillary Knapp. The boat finished 20 seconds behind UNC, posting a time of 8:19.78.
Rowing for the Varsity 4 was coxswain Raechelle Medellin, Erin Kuehn, Amanda Tallman, Colleen Ryan, and Jessica Hillsley. The squad finished in second just one and a half seconds behind Georgetown, posting a time of 7:54.42.
The Novice 8 boat placed second in its event finishing in 7:07.52. Representing this squad was coxswain Corrie Beck, Courtney Valerious, Lanie Deppe, Meredith Hanschu, Rozzie McHenry, Stacey Young, Laura Stebbins, Kristen Gonsalves, and Christina Bess. Georgetown finished first (6:52.63) and UNC third (7:09.98).
The second Varsity 8 boat finished 10 seconds behind UNC. Representing squad was coxswain Rebekha Archibald, Annie Lawson, Kristin Storer, Ashley Quinn, Amy Hoffman, Casey Schoenhoft, Katie Slavik, Adie Bell and Steph Weert. UNC finished in 6:59.46.
In the final race of the day, the Hoosiers were victorious by less than two seconds in the Varsity 8 race. The team was pleased with its performance as they rowed with confidence finishing in a time of 6:37.50. Competing for the Varsity 8 was coxswain Sarah Meyer, Amanda Walker, Lauren Anderson, Ashley Airis, Carly Schilling, Laura Lazaridis, Kelly Schuiling, Line Espedal and Elizabeth Benoit
"The Varsity 8 won a great race," Peterson said. "It is a huge step forward for them because they were forced to overcome a tremendous amount of obstacles and rowed a gutsy race."
The Hoosiers are back in action Saturday, April 3 when they host Cincinnati, Dayton, Louisville, Eastern Michigan and UNC on Lake Lemon in Bloomington, Ind. At that time, the Hoosiers will dedicate their new Varsity 8 shell.
