Rowing sweeps top three spots at Fighting Nutria
Feb. 20, 2010  Photo Gallery
AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Rowing team started its 2010 racing season with a bang, claiming the top three places at the Fighting Nutria on Saturday at Lady Bird Lake. The Longhorns first varsity boat of coxswain Emma Dirks, stroke Jennifer VanderMaarel, Anna Thomson, Meg George, Callie Mattrisch, Jelena Zunic, Tajana Lovric, Jacqueline Gorcyca and Nancy Arrington posted a time of 29:07 and finished first. Texas second varsity eight comprised of coxswain Mary Cait McPherson, stroke Stephanie Matejka, Karli Sheahan, Colleen Irby, Laurel McCaig, Katarina Susac, Julia Stevens, Sally Tunell and Courtney Nicklas crossed the finish in 29:36 and placed second. The Horns' third varsity boat of coxswain Megan Kelly, stroke Charity McDonald, Katrina Cerk, Audrey Ullman, Kaitlin Lewallen, Kait Postle, Madeline Shaw, Natasia Giles and Emily Gross placed third, completing the race in 30:28. "The Fighting Nutria is a good long race that really put a top on our pre-racing season preparation," head coach Carie Graves said. "It is the last of our long distance training and now our focus will turn to our spring schedule." Texas also entered four novice boats in the Fighting Nutria with its top novice boat finishing fifth (32:08), the second boat placing sixth (32:56) and its third eight finishing eighth (33:16). The final novice entry was a 4+ boat that crossed the finish in 11th place (38:21). "We've really done a lot this semester," Graves said. "The team looks solid and fit. They looked very aggressive on the water today and they raced well." The Fighting Nutria is an 8,100 meter head-style race held annually on Town Lake. Texas returns to action on Saturday, March 6 at the Heart of Texas regatta on Lady Bird Lake.
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