ODU Rowing Set To Compete In Kerr Cup

NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion Rowing is back in action on Saturday, April 22 when they will compete in the Kerr Cup in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
  
ODU will race four boats on the day: two varsity 8 boats and two varsity 4 boats.  
  
The first varsity 8 boat will feature Ilianna Romanzo as the coxswain and her crew will follow as Sofia Bespalova, Kinley Zink, Lucy Brennan, Annemarie Hoff, Jay Weber, Maddie Enns, Lily Baumann and Sydnee Blackburn. 
  
The second varsity 8 boat will have Ellie Gortz as the coxswain and the rest of the crew as follows Jenna Protacio, Mary Rust, Haven Habhab, Marie Ahern, Izzy Bravo, Bekah Kimman, Lauren Norris and Emma Spinelli. 
  
The first varsity 4 boat will feature Ainsley Diesi, Afton Stahl, Gabby Cook, Kelly Bailey and the coxswain is Bella Peycelon. 
  
The second varsity 4 boat racing will feature Izzy Bravo, Stella Flynn, Gillian Battersby, Mackenzie Scherra and the coxswain is Libby Guidon. 

"Racing back in Philly again this weekend, allows us to use the course as a possible way to measure our improvement from a few weeks ago. We will see a few similar teams that we saw earlier. I do think we have found a little more speed across all the boats," said head coach Brian Conley. "This will also be our last regular season race before we head into final exams, commencement and conference championships.  It also has the potential for many of the boats to race both heats and finals.  With how young a group we have on the team, racing is critical to our development over the long term.  You can practice race scenarios every day in practice, but actual races against other teams is always the best to see who is developing that mindset to handle and perform under the pressure of racing."