Clemson Rowing Sweeps Central Florida in the Final Home Regatta of the Season

May 4, 2004

Clemson rowing hosted the University of Central Florida for a dual regatta on Lake Hartwell on Tuesday and the Tigers concluded their regular season with a sweep over the Golden Knights. The two teams faced off in the Varsity 8+, Second Varsity 8+, Novice 8+ and Varsity 4+, where the Tigers brought in first place finishes in each event.

Racing kicked off at 9:00 a.m. with the Varsity 8+. The Tigers pulled away early taking open water over Central Florida. Clemson held the lead to the finish taking first with a time of 6:54.1. Central Florida trailed Clemson by 7.4 seconds, earning a 7:01.5 finishing time.

In the Second Varsity 8+ event, the Tigers competed two crews against the Golden Knights. Clemson’s “A” boat took an early lead with open water and maintained it to the finish for a time of 7:01.7. The Tigers “B” crew put up a fight against Central Florida for the second place spot. By 500 meters Clemson had a four-seat lead over the Golden Knights that it was able to stretch to a six-seat lead taking the Tigers to a second place finish in 7:12.8. Central Florida took third in 7:14.9.

The Tigers took the lead from the start in the Novice 8+ and extended it to the finish pulling three boat lengths of open water over the Golden Knights. Clemson finished with a first place time of 7:07.2 while Central Florida took second in 7:22.9.

In the Varsity 4+ event, Clemson again took first to secure the sweep. The Tigers took an early lead which they were able to increase into the largest lead of the day and a 17.7 second winning margin.

“It was an awesome day of racing,” said head coach Susie Lueck. “We were able to put together today the things we worked on during a productive finals week. All the boats had consistent, solid races and it was a great confidence builder going into regionals.”

The regatta was also a sendoff for the program’s graduating seniors: Katrina Cobb an Architecture major from Lima, OH, Corey Gledhill a Early Childhood Education major from Roswell, GA, Marianne Grant a Food Science major from Blythewood, SC, Sally Kukla a Nursing major from West Columbia, SC, Lizzie Noll a Graphic Communications major from Birmingham, AL, Carrie Sinnott a Packaging Science major from Lexington, SC, and Ann Sullivan an Economics major from Seneca, SC.

“The seniors have been contributors all year in their hard work, unity and great team attitude,” said Lueck. “The will be missed, but their contributions will continue to be felt in the program.”

The Tigers will return to the water on Saturday and Sunday, May 15-16 in Oak Ridge, TN for the Lexus South/Central Regional Championships.

Final Results:

Varsity 8+ – Clemson 6:54.1, UCF 7:01.5 2nd Varsity 8+ – Clemson “A” 7:01.7, Clemson “B” 7:12.8, UCF 7:14.9 Novice 8+ – Clemson 7:07.2, UCF 7:22.9 Varsity 4+ – Clemson 7:41.6, UCF 7:59.3