Clemson Rowing Sweeps Cornell

March 22, 2008

Clemson, SC – The Clemson rowing team swept Cornell in a regatta held on Lake Hartwell on Saturday morning.

In the first race of the morning, the Tiger’s Varsity 8+ crew crossed the finish line ahead of Cornell’s Varsity 8+ in a time of 6:39.27. The Varsity 8+ boat, which consisted of Elyse Roenick (coxswain), Brittany Robinson, Ford Heiner, Megan Bendik, Catie Cornett, Liz Robb, Suzanne Van Fleet, and Jessica Leidecker, is coming off a week in which they were named the ACC’s Crew of the Week.

The next race saw Clemson’s Second Varsity 8+ finish the 2,000-meter course in a time of 6:51.8, ahead of Cornell who finished in 6:57.64. The Second Varsity 8+ crew consisted of Abbey Fernandez (coxswain), Alison Colberg, Kelly Murphy, Caitlin O’Neil, Nicole Rau, Brittany Cummings, Hilary Cumbest, Mairi Trimboli, and Blair Brendle.

The third and final race of the morning consisted of both Varsity and Novice crews from Clemson, as well as Cornell’s Varsity 4+. In a surprise finish, Clemson’s Novice 4+ boat finished ahead of Clemson’s Varsity 4+ in a time of 7:36.44. The Tigers Second Varsity 4+ finished third in 8:02.69, followed by the Second Novice 4+ with a time of 8:12.76. Cornell’s Varsity 4+ crossed the finish line right behind in a time of 8:13.78.

“We had a strong week of training,” said Clemson Head Rowing Coach Richard Ruggieri. “In many areas, we need to improve technically. We look forward to finding extra speed as we prepare for the San Diego Crew Classic.”

Clemson will return to action on April 5-6 as they hit the road for the San Diego Crew Classic held on Mission Bay in San Diego, California.