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Tulsa
Big 12 Invitational Regatta
TU Rowers Top Petite Finals at Big 12 Invitational
5/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
May 3, 2003
Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa rowing team raced well in the Big 12 Invitational on Saturday on the Kansas River-Burcham Park in Lawrence, Kansas. The Golden Hurricane topped the petite finals in the Varsity 8, the 2nd Varsity 8 and the Novice 8 races.
The Varsity 8 fell behind Kansas in their heat to advance to the petite final, toppling Drake and Baylor to earn a time of 6:52.7. The team dropped more than 10 seconds off their time from the previous race and posted times that were comparable to those in the grand final.
"We are looking for consistency in the Varsity 8," Head Coach Kevin Harris said. "The team put together a good sprint and were more cohesive in the second race, but we want to make the boat faster before the Lexus Cup Central Region Championships on May 17-18."
"The petite final for the Varsity 8 was awesome," Varsity 8 stroke Whitney Given said. "We were aggressive in the race, we worked together and we made sure that we didn't fall behind."
The 2nd Varsity 8 put together their two fastest races of the year, finishing at No. 1 in the petite final with a time of 7:19.8.
"The first race of the day for the 2nd Varsity 8 was a big improvement," 2nd Varsity 8 stroke Amy McGhee said. "We had more power and a stronger mental attitude than before. Over the course of the year we have learned to focus on each stroke and we carried our performance from the first race into the petite final."
"I think we showed that we are capable of rowing well in two consecutive races, which was a big mental step for us today," McGhee added.
The Novice 8 also posted a first place finish in the petite final, putting together their best race of the season.
"In the petite final, the team faced some rough weather conditions, including a strong wind and choppy water, but they got off the line fast and made a move to finish with a boat-length of open water between them and Baylor," Assistant Coach Rosemary Tran said.
"This was the first time these women have raced together in the Novice 8 in more than a month, so I think their racing was phenomenal," Tran added. "This was a great way to end the season for the Novice crew. I am excited to see these women come back next year and see how they will impact the Varsity team."
"We pulled the races together well," Novice 8 stroke Rachael Hill said. "It was a united front to end the season with a win in the petite final, which shows a lot about the Tulsa rowing team. It was our personal best on the year. We kept it together and clean and it was a great accomplishment to end the season this way."
"I am happy with the progress of the team since the Longhorn Invitational, but our next mission is to prepare for Centrals," said Harris. "The competition will be strong and fast, but we have a goal of finishing in the top-12 and I know we can do it if we keep our focus and work hard."
RESULTS: Varsity 8 - Heat 1: 1. Kansas - 6:49.0 2. Tulsa - 7:03.8Varsity 8 - Petite Final: 1. Tulsa - 6:52.7 2. Drake - 6:56.3 3. Baylor - 8:04.9
2nd Varsity 8 - Heat 1: 1. Kansas - 6:51.3 2. Tulsa - 7:26.3
2nd Varsity 8 - Petite Final: 1. Tulsa - 7:19.8 2. Drake - 7:29.3
Novice 8 - Heat 1: 1. Kansas - 6:57.9 2. Tulsa - 7:38.2
Novice 8 - Petite Final: 1. Tulsa - 7:56.5 2. Baylor - 8:06.4
