Oct. 25, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion women's rowing team kicked off the 2009-10 season and its second season of varsity competition at the Head of the Lafayette on Saturday.
"Conditions were incredibly challenging, but we were happy with the close result of all three of our boats," said head coach Heather Weisel of the Lady Monarchs first competition of the year.
The teams competed on a shorten course from 5000 meters to 2700 meters due to the 25 mph gusting head winds.
The Lady Monarchs claimed the top three positions in the race with the ODU Varsity boat taking first crossing the finish line with a time of 10:12. Placing second was the ODU Frosh "A" shell with a time of 10:51, closely followed by the ODU Frosh "B" boat clocking in at 10:56 to take third.
Also rounding out the competition field was the William & Mary "A" boat in fouth (11:27), the ODU Rowing Club in fifth (11:37), the William & Mary "B" boat in sixth (13:10), the William & Mary "C" shell in seventh (13:26), and Liberty finishing eighth (14:00).
"Our varsity boat is comprised of all sophomores and second year rowers," noted Weisel, "so this was a solid way for them to start the year as they head into varsity level races. The frosh did a great job with several novices who only learned to feather this week. All in all, it was a great event and a nice beginning for us."
The Old Dominion women's rowing team returns to the water in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the Head of the Hooch the weekend of November 7th and 8th.
Head of the Lafayette Results:
1.) ODU Varsity W - 10:12
(Liz Hess, Christine Gravelle, Callie Roadcap, Jennifer Easterling, Marie Gately, Heather Leach, Heather Earle, Laurel Bransfield, Cox - Beth Doughtie)
2.) ODU Frosh "A" - 10:51
(Kiersten Stephens, Amanda May, Shelby Favre, Abby Voss, Meredith Laverdure, Hayes Davis, Gia Thompson, Kelly McHale, Cox - Allison Giegerich)
3.) ODU Frosh "B" - 10:56
(Nicole Meyer, Maeghan Pardy, Amber Ballantyne, Ashley Vente, Diana Lewis, Bridjette Parker, Anne Smith, Mary Kent, Cox - Ashley Payne)
4.) William and Mary "A" - 11:27
5.) ODURC - 11:37
6.) William and Mary"B" - 13:10
7.) William and Mary "C" - 13:26
8.) Liberty Univ - 14:00