FAIRFAX, Va. - Old Dominion women’s rowing’s JV8+ lineup earned a first place finish and the Novice 8+ earned a second place finish to highlight ODU’s performance at the Head of the Occoquan over the weekend.
“The team had a really solid day through and through,” said ODU Head Coach Brian Conley. “Much of our success is because the team is starting to do the little things in practice that make a difference. The senior leadership this week leading into the race has been great and is making a big difference. The team walked away this weekend with three medals, one of each color.”
Old Dominion's V8+ lineup consisted of Monroe LaRochelle, Kamila Neuspeil, Mary Kate Sabol, Larissa Venema, coxswain Caroline Cotton, Nicole Knight, Jenna Protacio, and Callie Crook. They finished in fourth place out of 13 boats with a final time of 18:00.204. Georgetown fielded two boats for the V8+ race and captured first and second place with times of 17:19.225 and 17:51.054, respectively.
Old Dominion’s JV8+ lineup was filled by Emma Skalsky, Monika Westman, Trinity Scofield, Jillian Douglas, coxswain Naomi Dausman, Helen Schuette, Victoria Fantle, and Laila Linstrom. The Silver and Blue captured first place out of eight boats with a finish time of 18:18.617 ahead of Georgetown in second place (18:23.365).
“We had hoped we might be able to catch Georgetown, but we closed the gap significantly on them from the Chase in the Varsity 8+,” said Conley. “The JV8+ defended their win from the year before and at the same time were passing boats in the event ahead of them winning by six seconds. A gold medal is always the favorite color to bring home and to do it the way they race in practice is especially important for us to do.”
The Monarchs’ Novice 8+ lineup was made up of Claire Busch, Lila Castelar, Mia Eckerman, Aziah Martin, coxswain Hayden Muehl, Sabol, Skalsky, and Westman. The team clocked a time of 19:10.428 and finished in second place out of 10 boats.
“Our Novice 8+ showed that our freshmen and walk-ons are learning quickly and racing at a high level,” said Conley. “I do expect a lot coming from this group later this year, especially with taking silver and their second medal performance in as many races. Finally, our JV4+ “A” entry fought hard against two fast boats from Duquesne to bring home the third medal for the team today with a bronze.”
Old Dominion fielded two boats in the V4+ and finished in fifth and sixth place. The Hudson 4+ lineup consisted of coxswain Savannah Hartlove, LaRochelle, Neuspeil, Schuette, and Venema. The New 4+ consisted of Cotton, Crook, coxswain Molly Deegan, Knight, and Protacio. The first boat finished with a time of 19:51.817 in sixth and the second was a little over five seconds ahead to place fifth (19:46.209).
The final event the Monarchs raced in was the JV 4+ and ODU filled two boats. ODU’s Bucket lineup was filled by Sophie Bell, coxswain Olivia Kruse, Hannah Roderick, Scofield, and Ellie Washburn. They finished in third behind Duquesne’s A and B boat and had a finish time of 20:20.803. The Peacekeeper boat was filled by Douglas, Janic Charrupi Linstrom, Ava Harr, and coxswain Sophie Morrison. They finished in fifth place with a final time of 21:16.099.
“The medals are great and most importantly a result of the team focusing on the process at home,” said Conley. “As hard as it is to be an athlete at the DI level, it is critical on our team to do it the right way, the Monarch way!”
UP NEXT:
ODU will be back in action, Sunday, November 8th in Earlysville, Virginia for the Rivanna Romp.