Tiger Rowing Performs Well at the Clemson Challenge

March 17, 2007

Clemson, SC – The Tiger rowing team won five out of six races in the Clemson Challenge on a cold, windy morning on Lake Hartwell. Clemson claimed victories in the varsity 8+, second varsity 8+, third varsity 8+, novice 8+, and second novice 8+. Purdue won the varsity 4+. Indiana and Marist also competed Saturday.

Despite the weather conditions, there was good fan support for the Tigers in each of the races. Clemson also dedicated three boats on Saturday, adding to an already strong fleet for Susie Lueck’s program. Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, Leslie Moreland, and Dwight Rainey from the athletic department christened the racing shells (one 8+ and two 4+ boats) with water from the finish line.

The featured race of the day was the varsity 8+. Clemson got off to a quick start against the field, having a multiple-seat lead by the 250m mark. At 1000m, the Tigers held a boat length lead over Indiana. In the final 500m, the Tiger crew pulled away to a two-boat length victory. Clemson had a time of 7:15.9, while Indiana was runner-up at 7:29.1.

The most exciting race of the day came courtesy of the second varsity 8+. The wind really picked up for the start of that race, making it difficult to adjust for the four schools. At the 500m mark, Clemson held a three-seat lead over Indiana, with Purdue and Marist even for third. By 1000m, the Tiger lead was down to two seats. Over the final 500 meters, the two teams sprinted in dead even fashion. Clemson hung on for the victory, crossing the finish line in 7:34.7. Indiana came in second at 7:35.5.

Clemson and Indiana were the only schools fielding third varsity 8+ boats. The Tigers led throughout the event, building a boat length lead heading into the final 500 meters. Clemson’s time was 7:31.3, while the Hoosiers clocked in at 7:41.4.

The novice 8+ race was also close, coming down to a strong final sprint from the Tigers. Clemson led by a few seats over Indiana at the 500m mark, then grabbed open water at 1000m as Purdue began to close in on the Hoosiers. However, in the end, Clemson and Indiana pulled away during the sprint. The Tigers had a time of 8:21.0, while the Hoosiers’ crew clocked in at 8:25.5.

The second novice 8+ from Clemson pushed to a tremendous lead halfway through their race. At the 1000m mark, Clemson led by nearly two boat lengths over two crews from Purdue. Heading into the final 500 meters, Clemson’s lead increased to over two boat lengths. The Tigers had a time of 8:27.2 in their win.

The varsity 4+ was unable to complete the sweep for Clemson, but battled until the end with Purdue. Purdue led by a boat length at the 1000m mark, before Clemson began to close in heading into the final sprint. The Tigers closed, but ran out of time.

The Tigers return to action next weekend for a pair of events. The varsity boats will head to Belleville, MI to take on Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. The third varsity 8+ and novice crews will be in Clemson to take part in the CURA Sprints.