NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion rowing team will kick off the 2014-15 year and its seventh varsity season, hosting the Tail of the Lafayette Regatta on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. against boats from the University of North Carolina.
Taking place on the Lafayette River, just minutes from campus, fans can watch the race from Mayflower Road in the Colonial Place section of Norfolk or the Granby Street Bridge.
"In regards to the upcoming regatta with UNC; I have a mixed outlook,” said Head Coach Dan Garbutt. “I am both excited but cautiously optimistic, in that we have a young team who has a lot of hard work in front of them. I do feel however there is a good mix of young talent, and when we have the right configuration; I think the team will look strong towards the spring season. I am ready to get this season started.”
Tail of the Lafayette Schedule
Keep up with the regatta live as it is streamed through Livestream! Fans will need to sign up for a free account through Livestream or through Facebook to watch. Watch the event live here!
8:00 AM
ODU Varsity 8 vs. UNC Varsity 8
ODU 2nd Varsity 8 vs. UNC 2nd Varsity 8
ODU 3rd Varsity 8 vs. UNC 3rd Varsity 8
9:15 AM
ODU Varsity 4 vs. UNC Varsity 4
ODU 2nd Varsity 4 vs. UNC 2nd Varsity 4
ODU 3rd Varsity 4 vs. UNC 3rd Varsity 4
ODU 3rd Varsity 4 vs. UNC 4th Varsity 4
Last Time at the Lafayette Regatta
The Lady Monarchs last hosted the regatta during the 2010-11 season where they claimed the top three events in the Collegiate 8. Competing against boats from Liberty University, the ODU "B" boat won the event in a time of 18:29 for the 5000 meter course. ODU "A" was second in a time of 18:30 while the ODU Freshman/Novice boat finished in third. The ODU B boat was comprised of coxswain Allison Giegerich, Liz Hess, Jen Easterling, Shelby Favre, Abby Voss, Paige Madison, Marie Gately, Kiersten Stephens, and Maeghan Pardy. The ODU "A" featured coxswain Ashley Payne, Callie Roadcap, Christina Gravelle, Laurel Bransfield, Nicole Meyer, Mary Kent, Amanda May, Heather Earle and Heather Leach.
2013-14 Season Recap
The team highlighted the year by winning the Commodore Cup at the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta and capped the season with an eighth-place finish at the C-USA Championships. The Lady Monarchs also put on a good showing at the 2014 Knecht Cup after going 2-0 on the first day and finishing with a bronze medal in the Grand Final. The crew of coxswain Lydia Cleveland, Kennedy Stafford, Erin O'Connell, Paige Madison, Jenna Sterling, Kara Stephan, Raven Howser, Marisa Fruetel and Kelsea Shiner finished the course in 6:50.75 and earned Conference USA Boat of the Week honors for their efforts. ODU returns 37 letter winners from last year’s squad and welcomes five newcomers to the program.
Next Up for the Lady Monarchs
The Lady Monarchs return to the water when they travel to Boston, Mass. to compete in the Head of the Charles Regatta on Oct. 18-19. In their first ever Head of the Charles event last season, the Lady Monarchs finished in the top-25 among collegiate crews.
Be sure to keep up with all the latest news regarding ODU Women’s Rowing by following @ODURowing on Twitter and visit ODU Rowing on Facebook!