Bronchos Win In San Diego

4/8/2013 8:31:00 AM

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (April 7) – The Central Oklahoma women's rowing team capped off an extremely successful weekend at the 40^th Annual San Diego Crew Classic by winning the Div. II/III/Club Varsity 8+ event for the first time in program history.

"This was a big day for our program," head coach Andy Derrick said. "To win an event at the San Diego Crew Classic puts us in with some pretty prestigious company and I am very proud of the team for attaining it."

After a tough start, the Bronchos were able to regain control and inch their way back into contention. During the second half of the race the boat passed both Humboldt State and UC-Santa Barbara to gain the lead, which they would not relinquish.

The UCO 8+ unit of Amy VanBuskirk (cox), Michaela Stam, Jenni Hagen, Karen Hoke, Jenna Goodner, Madison Martens, Tracey Lisowe, Rachel Kliewer and Kelsey Philhower finished in a time of 7:02.89, more than three seconds ahead of second-place Santa Barbara and nearly six seconds ahead of Humboldt State.

“Some of the electronics in the boat failed for the first 500 meters and we got off to a very rocky start, but they managed to regroup and get it done late in the race," Derrick said. "We never would have been able to do that before, and it shows how they are maturing as athletes. This is a special group of young women, and I am very proud."

The Bronchos set a good precedent during their heat on Saturday by winning in convincing fashion over Humboldt State and Orange Coast College, clocking a time of 7:00.28. That time was the fastest in their event and earned them the top seed going into the Grand Final on Sunday.

UCO's 4+ also had a fast weekend, finishing second only to UC-San Diego in the Grand Final. Taking the lead during the early stages of the race, the Broncho women weren't able to hold off the hard-charging crew on home water and finished six seconds behind. The Tritons finished with a time of 7:58.30 to Central's 8:04.17. Third-place UC-Irvine finished 20 seconds behind.

During their preliminary heat on Saturday, the 4+ of Jenna Meraz (cox), Hannah Anderson, Brittany Rawlins, Samantha Elliott, and Ariel Good followed suit and finished second behind the eventual winner UC-San Diego.

“Our 4+ struggled more than we expected this weekend and really did not row to their abilities or what they have shown in practice and in previous races,” said Derrick. “All season long our struggle has been consistency as either our v8 or our v4 has had a great race but never both. Now we just need to get them to both do it on the same day, but it will come.”

The Bronchos will now have a two-week break between racing and will begin preparing for the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association championships over the weekend of April 20-21 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. During the 2012 SIRA championship both the Broncho 8+ and 4+ won their petite finals, finishing seventh overall. This year's squad will look to improve upon that finish while taking on South Region rivals Nova Southeastern once again.

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