Clemson Women’s Rowing Finishes Second in ACC Championships

April 23, 2011

Clemson, SC – The 14th-ranked Clemson women’s rowing team posted a second-place overall finish in Saturday’s ACC Championships on Lake Hartwell. Defending conference champion, #5 Virginia, took home the trophy, notching 60 total points as a team.

“Virginia is historically one of the best teams in the country and again this year is one of the best teams in the country,” said Clemson head coach Robbie Tenenbaum. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way we performed today, and I know our kids are ready to have another shot at Virginia at NCAA’s.”

The First Varsity 8 race, the final event of the day, turned out to be the closest and most exciting event of the day. It was Virginia and Clemson in a tight battle from the beginning, with the Cavaliers pushing ahead of the Tigers halfway through the course. Clemson made a fierce charge at the end, almost catching the crew from Virginia who finished 1.2 seconds ahead of the Tigers (about 2 seats).

Clemson’s First Varsity 8 was named ACC Crew of the Year at the conclusion of the Championships. Their impressive finishes throughout the year and victories over multiple top-20 teams helped them win the award. The crew is comprised of Laura D’Urso, Liz Robb, Sarah Daanen, Grace Wolff, Stephanie Cameron and coxswain Katie Bruggeling.

“The First Varsity 8 is the flagship crew of our team,” Tenenbaum continued. “They came out today and raced the way they knew they could race. This is a crew that has raced some of the best crews in the country very tightly, and these guys know that they can race against anyone.”

In the Varsity 4 race, the Cavaliers jumped out to an early lead over the boat from Clemson and were able to hold off some late charges from the Tigers to take the race with a time of 7:17.5. Clemson followed with a time of 7:28.0. Duke and Boston College battled for the third place spot, with the Blue Devils coming out on top (7:39.6), followed by Boston College (7:44.8). North Carolina was fifth (8:00.9) and Miami was sixth (8:46.2).

The second race of the day, the Novice 8, saw Virginia again claim the top spot (6:49.5), followed by Duke (7:01.0) and Clemson (7:03.6). North Carolina finished fourth with a time of 7:09.2 and Boston College finished fifth (7:24.1).

In the second Varsity 8, Virginia finished first with a time of 6:35.9, followed closely by the Tigers who finished with a time of 6:40.8. Duke was third (6:59.9), Miami fourth (7:04.5), Boston College fifth (7:09.9) and North Carolina sixth (7:18.3).

“I think there is some victory in the defeat today,” said Tenenbaum. “The kids are really excited about the direction the program is headed.”

Three Tigers were named First Team All-ACC. Senior Laura D’Urso and Laura Basadonna received their first All-ACC honors.

Complete Results

ACC Championships Team Points 1.Virginia, 60; 2. Clemson, 49; 3. Duke, 41; 4. Miami, 23; 5. Boston College, 22, 6. North Carolina, 14.

First Varsity Eight+ 1. Virginia, 6:23.9; 2. Clemson, 6:25.1; 3. Duke, 6:41.4; 4. Miami, 6:49.6; 5. Boston College, 6:55.5; 6. North Carolina, 6:57.5.

Second Varsity Eight+ 1. Virginia, 6:35.9; 2. Clemson, 6:40.8; 3. Duke, 6:59.9; 4. Miami, 7:04.5; 5. Boston College, 7:09.9; 6. North Carolina, 7:18.3.

Novice Eight+ 1. Virginia, 6:49.5; 2. Duke, 7:01.0; 3. Clemson, 7:03.6; 4. North Carolina, 7:09.2; 5. Boston College, 7:24.1.

First Varsity Four+ 1. Virginia, 7:17.5; 2. Clemson, 7:28.0; 3. Duke, 7:39.6; 4. Boston College, 7:44.8; 5. North Carolina, 8:00.9; 6. Miami, 8:46.2.

All-ACC Rowing Team Brittany Walsh, North Carolina Alycia Da’Loia-Moore, Boston College Katalin Horvath, Miami Sarah Medland, Miami Alex Japhet, Duke Emily Theys, Duke Laura D’Urso, Clemson Liz Robb, ClemsonLaura Basadonna, Clemson Claudia Blandford, Virginia Christine Roper, Virginia Martie Kuzzy, Virginia Kristine O’Brien, Virginia Sidney Thorsten, Virginia

ACC Crew-of-the-Year Clemson First Varsity Eight

ACC Coach-of-the-Year Kevin Sauer, Virginia

ACC Freshman-of-the-Year Alycia Da’Loia-Moore, Boston College