News Every Day | 28 April 2024, 03:11

#2 Texas Women’s Rowing Defeats #1 Stanford at the Longhorn Invite

AUSTIN, Texas – Racing against many of the top programs in the nation, No. 2 Texas Rowing collected three victories in front of a boisterous home crowd at the Longhorn Invite at Lake Walter E. Long on Saturday morning. The Longhorns hosted top-ranked and defending national champion Stanford, No. 12 Virginia and No. 14 Ohio State with Texas tallying wins in the First Eight, Second Eight and Third Eight.

“The atmosphere for the event was terrific, and we really appreciate the effort from all involved. It felt like a championship regatta, and I’m glad we were able to pull it off,” said Texas head coach Dave O’Neill. “We think this was Bevo’s first rowing event, and we wanted to make him proud. Having him here made the day a little more exciting, and we recognize these things matter.”

Racing was impacted by high crosswinds on the course of 10-14 mph with gusts of 20 mph, forcing an adjusted schedule in which the teams’ three NCAA boats – First Eight, Second Eight, First Four – competed in two heats instead of one grand final.

“I really appreciate the work and patience of all the teams and coaches when we had to scrap the original plan,” O’Neill said. “Crosswinds are never fun, but everyone handled it very well. We got fair racing, and that’s what we all wanted even if the course was a little short.”

With the adjusted schedule, Texas raced head-to-head against Stanford in heat one of each event with Ohio State and Virginia racing in heat two. Stake boats were utilized and there were no buoy lines.

Texas came away with the victory in the I Eight, crossing the line in 6:00.969 to win by open water over a Stanford crew that posted a time of 6:03.353. The Cardinal were in front at the midway mark, but Texas surged over the final half of the course to top Stanford. Ohio State was the winner in heat two, posting a time of 6:20.922 with Virginia taking second in 6:26.766.

“The first eight race was absolutely fantastic. Everyone expected a tight race, and we got that and more,” O’Neill said. “I give a lot of credit to Lanie Nitsch, Anna Jensen and Etta Carpender. They’re doing a terrific job in every way, and it’s great to have such skill, power and leadership in the stern four.”

The Longhorns added a second win with a dominating performance by the II Eight. Texas posted a time of 6:13.247 to finish almost six seconds ahead of Stanford’s 6:19.247. Ohio State was the victor in heat two with a time of 6:35.060, followed by Virginia in 6:44.292.

“The second eight was impressive. They have shown some real speed, and it was good for them to show it in a race like that,” O’Neill said. “Sue Holderness has turned herself into a very good stroke, and her leadership helps bring out the best in everyone.”

In the I Four, Texas was in front at the midway point, but Stanford found another gear over in the final half of the race, finishing in 6:52.990 with Texas the runner-up in 6:55.271. The second heat saw Ohio State cross the line first in 7:14.980 and Virginia posting a time of 7:17.805.

“It was a tough race for the first four,” O’Neill said. “We got off to a good start, but Stanford stopped our momentum and rowed through to a well-earned win. We’ll learn from it and get better.

“We managed to finish ahead of Stanford in the two priority races, and that obviously feels good. However, we’re realistic and know those results could easily flip if we had rowed back and done it again. They’re a terrific team, and no doubt they’ll be going fast at NCAAs.”

The Longhorns added a runner-up finish in the II Four, finishing in 7:15.355. Virginia picked up the win 7:11.565, while Ohio State took third in 7:21.940.

Texas closed out the regatta with a come-from-behind victory in the III Eight. The Longhorns were trailed the Cardinal at the midway point by about a boat length, but soon overtook the Stanford boat to win by open water, 6:38.688 to 6:43.362. Virginia placed third with a time of 7:06.697.

The regatta kicked off with Texas and Stanford racing their fourth eight’s. The Cardinal took the win in 6:30.561 to the Longhorns’ 6:45.996.

On deck for Texas is the Big 12 Rowing Championship on Sunday, May 19 in Sarasota, Fla. The regatta will be held at Nathan Benderson Park, the site where the Longhorns won the 2021 and 2022 NCAA Championships.

RESULTS
I Eight –Heat 1
1. TEXAS – 6:00.969
2. Stanford – 6:03.353

I Eight – Heat 2
1. Ohio State – 6:20.922
2. Virginia – 6:26.766

II Eight – Heat 1
1. TEXAS – 6:13.647
2. Stanford – 6:19.247

II Eight – Heat 2
1. Ohio State – 6:35.060
2. Virginia – 6:44.292

I Four – Heat 1
1. Stanford – 6:52.990
2. TEXAS – 6:55.271

I Four – Heat 2
1. Ohio State – 7:14.980
2. Virginia – 7:17.805

II Four
1. Virginia – 7:11.565
2. TEXAS – 7:15.355
3. Ohio State – 7:21.940

III Eight
1. TEXAS – 6:38.688
2. Stanford – 6:43.362
3. Virginia – 7:06.697

IV Eight
1. Stanford – 6:30.561
2. TEXAS – 6:45.996

LINEUPS
I Eight: Carly Legenzowski (c), Mette Nielsen (stroke), Lanie Nitsch, Anna Jensen, Etta Carpender, Marg Van der Wal, Abby Dawson, Cassandre Korvink-Kucinski, Amber Harwood (bow)