University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke
Tar Heel Rowers Open Spring
March 2, 2002 | Women's Rowing
March 2, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina rowing team came away from its first competition of the spring without a victory, but with plenty of valuable experience. Racing on their home water at University Lake Saturday morning, the Tar Heels got faster throughout the day and led through parts of races, but never over the finish line.
Duke swept the competition, taking first in the novice four, novice eight, second varsity eight and varsity eight. The Blue Devils also raced three boats in the varsity four.
The morning's racing was the first-ever rowing action for UNC's novice squad, which includes just one rower with high school experience. In the last of its three heats, Carolina's novice four picked up the team's only win of the day. "I'm anxious to see the progress the novices will make over the course of the season," UNC coach Joel Furtek said. "I'm especially proud of our Novice 4+. With very little water time, they managed to come back and win by 2.5 seconds on their last piece. That's indicative of the fire and spirit novice coach Sarah Haney is instilling in her crews."
Despite torrid starts and early leads, the second varsity eight wasn't able to hold on for a win. Furtek expects that more time on the water together will help the crew improve. "We simply haven't had the time together to sort out the base cadence speed," Furtek said. "Class conflicts meant this boat practiced together only twice! I was very impressed with how they came back on the final piece to put in a great charge. Junior Mollie Silver put in an outstanding performance in only her third day on the starboard side, and stroke Kara Kerscher really reached beyond herself to give the boat the right punch and rhythm."
Likewise, the varsity eight looks to improve with experience. The boat includes just two seniors and today's race was the first ever for one member of the boat, Jess Ziebel, who was moved up from the novice squad on Tuesday. "We definitely have work before us, but I was again impressed by the intensity they put into their races, especially the third in which they closed the gap on Duke considerably," Furtek said. "Like the second varsity, I know the athletes were wishing that they had another piece, for they were finally starting to get into a groove."
UNC's next action will be in Florida over Spring Break. After scrimmaging in Tampa, the Tar Heels will race Miami, Navy and Central Florida in Miami on March 15.
"I can't help but feel good about today's racing, even if I'm not thrilled with the results,"Furtek said. "This year, more than any in our history, is about progress, slowly but surely removing the impediments to our speed. I have a hunch that we'll be surprised by the speed we find."
Carolina Dash results:
Varsity Four
Heat 1
Duke A 3:49.0
Duke B 3:59.7
Duke C 4:12.2
Heat 2
Duke A 3:53.5
Duke B 4:00.3
Duke C 4:17.2
Heat 3
Duke A 3:52.8
Duke B 4:05.9
Duke C 4:19.2
Novice Four
Heat 1
Duke 4:04.8
Carolina 4:14.1
Heat 2
Duke 4:08.3
Carolina 4:10.9
Heat 3
Carolina 4:09.5
Duke 4:12.0
Second Varsity Eight
Heat 1
Duke 3:29.9
Carolina 3:34.5
Heat 2
Duke 3:31.0
Carolina 3:36.6
Heat 3
Duke 3:31.5
Carolina 3:34.9
Novice Eight
Heat 1
Duke 3:31.0
Carolina 3:38.1
Heat 2
Duke 3:36.9
Carolina 3:42.0
Heat 3
Duke 3:35.2
Carolina 3:42.4
Varsity Eight
Heat 1
Duke 3:18.9
Carolina 3:27.7
Heat 2
Duke 3:22.9
Carolina 3:31.9
Heat 3
Duke 3:24.4
Carolina 3:29.9
