Rowing: Varsity Four Takes First at SIRAs
October 09, 2006 03:39 PM | General
April 23, 2007
OAKRIDGE, Tenn. – The West Virginia University varsity four highlighted the rowing team’s weekend at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships by taking first place on Sunday, April 22, in Oakridge, Tenn.
The win marked the first time a WVU boat has finished first at SIRAs. The highest previous finish was second by the varsity four boat in 2001 and the varsity eight boat in 2003.
“They won the final quite easily,” said head coach Nancy LaRocque. “The team really put together an awesome race. They have put them in a good position to win the BIG EAST championship in that event this coming weekend.”
The Mountaineers dominated competition over the weekend as the won the finals in a time of 7:37.9, nearly six full seconds ahead of second-place Central Florida (7:43.4). BIG EAST counterpart Cincinnati finished third in the finals in a time of 7:48.0.
WVU’s varsity four performance was especially impressive this weekend as it defeated a total of 26 opponents. The boat started by winning its heat on Saturday morning by over 27 seconds in 7:34.7. Later on Saturday the Mountaineers advanced to the final when they won their semifinal heat in a time of 7:48.3.
Two other West Virginia boats raced at SIRAs over the weekend. The varsity eight boat finished sixth in the B final in a time of 7:26.8, while the novice four boat finished sixth in the A finals, crossing the line in a time of 8:32.7.
The Mountaineers travel to Worcester, Mass., to compete in the BIG EAST Championships on Sunday, April 29, on Lake Quinsigamond.
