#17 Clemson Rowing Sweeps Alabama on Saturday

CLEMSON, SC – The 17th-ranked Clemson women’s rowing team swept the University of Alabama in six races on a rainy Saturday morning on Lake Hartwell. It was the Tigers’ first sweep since March 19, 2011 when Clemson swept six races against Alabama, Boston University, Duke, Indiana, Marist and Purdue.   

“I am very pleased with our performance today,” said Clemson Head Coach Robbie Tenenbaum. “Anytime you are able to sweep another team it is an accomplishment.” 

The Tigers set the tone in the first race of the day between the 1st Varsity 8’s. The Tigers got out to an early lead went on to take race with a time of 6:42.5 ahead of Alabama with a time of 7:01.4.

Clemson then took the next two races as the 2nd Varsity 8+ and the 1st Varsity 4+ both had decisive finishes with times of 6:45.1 and 8:09.0, respectively. The 1st Novice 8+ then took the fourth race of the day with a comeback win over the Crimson Tide.

The closest race of the day came in the fifth race between the 2nd Varsity 4’s. The two boats battled all the way down the race course until the Tigers will able to sneak ahead of the Crimson Tide right at the finish line for their first first-place finish of the season.

In that race, the Tigers finished with a time of 8:03.4, just 0.5 seconds ahead of Alabama with a time of 8:03.9. The 2nd Novice 8+ then completed the sweep for the Tigers finishing with a time of 7:30.5 ahead of Alabama with a time of 7:48.1.

Clemson will return to the water next weekend on March 30 and 31 when they travel to Redwood Shores, CA to compete against California, Oregon State and Stanford.

Race Results1st Varsity 8+1. Clemson – 6:42.52. Alabama – 7:01.4 

2nd Varsity 8+1. Clemson – 6:45.12. Alabama – 7:08.6 

1st Varsity 4+1. Clemson – 8:09.02. Alabama – 8:21.6 

1st Novice 8+1. Clemson – 7:19.62. Alabama – 7:31.4 

2nd Varsity 4+1. Clemson – 8:03.42. Alabama – 8:03.9 

2nd Novice 8+1. Clemson – 7:30.52. Alabama – 7:48.1 

Clemson Lineups1st Varsity 8+Emily Massey (cox.), Samantha Duggan, Laura Basadonna, Ameerah Aly, Paula Wesselmann, Kristin Manna, Heather Cummings, Kate Biladeau, Laura D’Urso    

2nd Varsity 8+Katie Bruggeling (cox.), MJ Keys, Stephannie Allen, Milena Heuer, Caroline Hackler, Aurelia Wurzel, Cristina Morcom, Stephanie Cameron, Sarah Monn 

1st Varsity 4+Carissa Richardson (cox.), Maria Jose Gutierrez, Vanesa Ewais, Kathleen Scibelli, Kelsey Igo 

2nd Varsity 4+Jackie Kovach (cox.), Caroline Thomas, Kathryn Wiley, Sarah Egan, Kerianne Pacheco 

1st Novice 8+Katie Eidson (cox.), Tatiana Lundstrom, Dana Zielinski, Rebecca Kretzer, Hannah DeFrank, Anna Skochdopole, Claire Wilson, Danielle Baskin, Joanna Coombs

2nd Novice 8+Emily Mutschler (cox.), Katherine Peters, Katherine Reft, Alison Rehfus, Genevieve Schwemmer, Erin Ferguson, Courtney Fallon, Isabel Freimuth, Julie Gilbert