DELAND, Fla. – Highlighted by a gold medal by the Novice Eight crew, the Jacksonville University women's rowing program had a successful outing at the Stetson Fall Rowing Rendezvous.
"Our team represented JU well today," said Head Coach Jim Mitchell. "All of our boats raced hard, and the results showed. The results also showed our team's depth. Now it's time for us to go into our winter training mode and take the next steps toward a successful spring."
The first four boats to cross the line in the Varsity Four heat were all within 35 seconds of each other. Barry swept the top two spots while the Dolphins weren't far behind to place third and fourth. The Buccaneers 'A' boat clocked in at 20:27.00, their 'B' crew at 20:35.00 and JU's A and B at 20:51.00 and 21:02.00, respectively.
Varsity Four 'A': 4: Veronika Stasaityte; 3: Victoria Tkacz; 2: Kelly Cleveland; 1: Laura Stevenson; C: Monica Hakun
Varsity Four 'B': 4: Danielle Keeler; 3: Jessica Mathews; 2: Jodi Coia; 1: Rylie Ayles; C: Renee Pharis
JU's Novice Eight captured the Dolphins' first win of the day as the only crew to complete its heat under 20 minutes. Setting the time to beat at 19:11.00, Nova Southeastern placed second at 21:24.00 while the host and fellow MAAC member Stetson rowed in at 21:44.00.
Novice Eight: 8: Jessica Lindsay; 7: Stacey Price; 6: Michaela Hill; 5: Bridget Keough; 4: Savannah Distin; 3: Joan Spinelli; 2: Tori West; 1: Emily Woods; C: Claire McLenna
In the Varsity Eight event, JU's 'A' crew navigated the course in a time of 18:37.00, finishing 24 seconds behind first-place Barry and 44 seconds ahead of third-place FIT. The Fin 'B' crew narrowly edged out Rollins by one second to finish fifth (19:37.00).
Varsity Eight 'A': 8: Veronika Stasaityte; 7: Stefanie Keeler; 6: Juliana Welch; 5: Victoria Tkacz; 4: Victoria Hernandez; 3: Jessica Mathews; 2: Danielle Keeler; 1: Rylie Ayles; C: Lauren Whetzel
Varsity Eight 'B': 8: Sydney Warpness; 7: Laura Stevenson; 6: Kelly Cleveland; 5: Casey Sandorf; 4: Jennifer Pavlik; 3: Allison Rector; 2: April Beck; 1: Ashley Hirt; C: Renee Pharis
Concluding the women's efforts on the day were the Novice Four crews who finished first and third. The Fins 'A' boat coxed by Claire McLenna claimed the No. 1 spot with a time of 21:04.00. Nova Southeastern broke up JU's possibility of 1-2 finish with a time of 21:32.00 as Jacksonville's 'B' crew rounded the top three at 22:27.00.
Novice Four 'A': 4: Joan Spinelli; 3: Stacey Price; 2: Tori West; 1: Justine Quick; C: Claire McLenna
Novice Four 'B': 4: Jessica Lindsay; 3: Alex Pulliam; 2: Michaela Hill; 1: Ursula Barlow; C: Brittney Boggus
Stetson's fall race marked the conclusion of JU's spring schedule. The women's next official race will be March 28 at Alabama.
