NORFOLK, Va. - The Old Dominion University women’s rowing team ended their fall season on a high note, earning three gold medals in the Frostbite Regatta.
“We changed gears this week with going to the Frostbite Regatta and racing 2000m. Our main goal was to race hard and give the freshmen their first taste of what college racing will be like in the spring with side-by-side racing,” said ODU Head Coach Brian Conley.
The Novice 8+, JV8, and the V4+ team came away with gold in the 2000m race. The Varsity 8 team underperformed on the weekend, but gave a clear indication on where improvement is needed as the team heads into winter training.
“Our novice 8+, JV8 and V4+ each walked away with gold this weekend. Our 3V8 would’ve also walked away with gold as they finished second to our 2V8 in the race,” added Conley.
The event was held by the Pennsylvania Barge Club and each race was seven lanes across.
“Our Varsity 8 underperformed this weekend and we know where we have to put our focus to find the speed we know we are capable of,” said Conley.
The V4+ included two ODU boats that finished at the top of the board. The winning boat finished with a time of 7:52.900 and included Lillian Copeland, Aubrey Thames, Helen Schuette, Emma Spinelli, and coxswain Libby Guindon. The boat that finished in second place ended with a time of 8:02.030 and included Lucy Brennan, Sydnee Blackburn, Sofia Bespalova, Nicole Knight, and coxswain Ellen Gortz.
“I’m looking forward to winter training as this is the time where teams win or lose their spring season. I’m confident our team leadership will set a great example of what is expected and hold people accountable, but also bring the fun in the training and the grind over the winter and the break.” said Conley.
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ODU women’s rowing will train in the winter in preparation for the 2025 Spring schedule.