UCO Boats Earn Medals

4/22/2013 11:12:00 AM

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (April 21) – The Central Oklahoma women's rowing team concluded a historic visit to the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association championships on Sunday with solid finishes in three grand finals, including a second-place showing in the Varsity Four.

Sunday's racing began with the Novice Four team in the final of their 22-crew event. The Broncho lineup of Tia Reed (cox), Aleks Stogsdill, Autumn Gordon, Amy Le, and Chelsey McArthur covered the course in 8:23.30 to collect gold in the Open category over the University of Tampa and Florida Tech.

“The novice four went out there and really executed their race plan today,” said graduate assistant coach Kristin Philhower. “They've come a long way this year and we as a staff couldn't be more proud of their effort this weekend.”

The Varsity Four got out to a quick start in their grand final against a field including Kansas State, Virginia Commonwealth, Stetson, Florida State, and Nova Southeastern. While maintaining contact with eventual winner Kansas State throughout the entire race, the Broncho four was able to fend off surges by both third-place Nova Southeastern and fourth-place Florida State to secure their silver medals.

The four lineup of Jenna Laine Meraz (cox), Hannah Anderson, Brittany Rawlins, Sam Elliott, and Chelsea Robinette finished with a time of 7:43.50, less than five seconds behind Kansas State.

“This was a really important weekend for the four,” said assistant coach Amy Jantzen. “During this spring they have had some very good races, and their share of tough races, and this was their chance to show they had really improved. They were able to put it all together for three races during SIRAs and came away with some great experience and medals to show for it.”

The premier event of the day featured the Broncho Varsity Eight participating in the grand final for the first time in program history. The field for the final included very tough competition from George Washington, Kansas State, Purdue, Oklahoma City University and Division II rival Nova Southeastern.

After 1,000 meters, the field still remained five across until George Washington opened a small lead over Purdue and Kansas State. Coming into the finish, that order would remain for the top spots. The race between Central and Nova Southeastern remained close the entire race, with a six-seat advantage in Nova's favor being the difference.

The eight's lineup of Amy VanBuskirk (cox), Michaela Stam, Jenni Hagen, Karen Hoke, Jenna Goodner, Madison Martens, Tracey Lisowe, Rachel Kliewer, and Kelsey Philhower posted their fastest time of the weekend with a 6:41.30, more than 17 seconds faster than sixth-place OCU.

"This was a great weekend for the program,” said head coach Andy Derrick. “Just two years ago, this level of success would have been unthinkable. Even better than that, though, is that the team is still not satisfied and now expect even more of themselves. I am extremely proud of both the athletes and staff for what they have accomplished both this weekend and this year.

“As far as the rest of the year and the future, the bar has certainly been raised in Division II rowing. For us to go 6:41 in a cross/headwind and Nova to still go a bit faster speaks to the strength of the region and the growth of the division. From the UCO standpoint, our goal has always been a team bid to NCAAs and while winning both events would have made it simple, we are still very much in the hunt with the fastest 4+ in the region and our 8+ just behind Nova."

The weekend marked the most successful trip to SIRAs in UCO's rowing history, with three of four Broncho entries making their respective grand finals. The Broncho women are back in action on Saturday in Oklahoma City, taking on cross-river rival Oklahoma City University and Wichita State.

Click here for complete results from the weekend of racing.

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