Tar Heels Enjoy Success In Opening Races At ODU

Saturday, October 4

Norfolk, Va.

8:00 AM

North Carolina

Old Dominion

October 10, 2014 | Women's Rowing

By: UNC Athletic Communications

The UNC rowing team opened its fall competition on Saturday in Norfolk, Va., racing against Old Dominion at the Tail of the Lafayette Regatta on the Lafayette River.

The Tar Heels picked up valuable experience as well as some encouraging wins, topping host-ODU in the varsity four and by a 29-second margin in the second of two varsity eights races. "As far as an Oct. 4 race and getting an idea of our speed right now, I feel like we raced well across the board," UNC coach Sarah Haney said. "I was very proud of what we did."

The eights kicked off the morning's racing, with the top boats facing off, then the second eights, then the thirds. Each boat raced 3,700 meters then looped back to cover the same course again. "The first time down the course, we didn't attack it very well," Haney said. "We had opportunities to talk to all of the eights after they raced once, and we saw huge improvements in the second piece for all boats."

One of the morning's highlights was the 29-second margin of victory UNC's varsity eight earned over ODU's in the second piece. Carolina's third varsity eight also won its race, while the second varsity eight was competitive.

After a 20-minute break, the fours took to the water, with Carolina's varsity four winning on the 2,900 meter course. ODU won in the second and third fours.

Next up for UNC is the Occoquan Chase on Sunday in Occoquan, Va.

UNC lineups:

Varsity eight: Sarah Eastley (coxswain), Victoria McGee, Egan Berne, Sarah Priest, Chelsea Gustafson, Lauren Colberg, Emily Leidolf, Katherine Summerton, Kathryn McCormick

Second varsity eight: Kylee Wooten (coxswain), Amanda Truesdell, Kathleen Morrisroe, Olivia Ross, Elise Widman, Steph Henrich, Stephanie Wangerin, Allie Martin, Shelley Warner