Tigers Compete at ACC/Big Ten Challenge

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Clemson rowing team faced both tough competition and challenging conditions Saturday afternoon at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Charlottesville, Va. Clemson faced two-time defending national champion and top-ranked Ohio State, ninth-ranked Michigan and Navy on a windy Lake Monticello.

“The step up in competition this week was really good for us, we want to see how we stack up against some of the best teams in the country,” said head coach Stephen Frazier Wong. “This was a chance for us to put together a complete race plan. We want to make sure we’re learning and growing every time.”

Clemson raced against Navy and ninth-ranked Michigan in the morning session. In a tight battle, the Tigers were able to capture the victory in the 3V8+ by less than a second. Clemson finished with a time of 6:59.8, narrowly edging out Michigan, who finished at 7:00.7. Navy finished third 7:25.3.

“It’s a really big deal for us,” said freshman Brynn Hentschel. “Most of our boat are freshman which means there is a lot of potential for the future.”

“They’re a young crew and handled the conditions well,” said Frazier Wong. “I thought the showed great composure and they put together the race that they really wanted to.” 

The Tigers finished second in three of the other four races of the morning. In the 1V8+, Michigan eclipsed Clemson by 4.8 seconds, winning with a time of 6:20.9. The Wolverine 1V4+ and 2V8+ also came out on top of the Tigers, who finished with times of 7:30.5 and 6:40.6 respectively.

Clemson faced off against Ohio State in the afternoon session but the Buckeyes proved to be too much for the Tigers, winning all five races. Clemson was able to hold their own in all five races, keeping contact with the Buckeyes most of the way down the course before Ohio State pulled away at the end.

“They’re number one for a reason and they showed that today in how they raced,” said senior Stephannie Allen. “To see our team attack it head on, though, is a really great example of our team’s dedication.”

Clemson will take nearly two weeks off from competition before hosting 20 schools to the Clemson Invitational on Lake Hartwell April 18-19.

Morning Session Final Results:

1V8+: 1. Michigan (6:20.9); 2. Clemson (6:25.7); 3. Navy (6:38.3)

1V4+: 1. Michigan (7:19.4); 2. Clemson (7:30.5); 3. Navy (7:32.9)

2V8+: 1. Michigan (6:34.4); 2. Clemson (6:40.6); 3. Navy (6:58.4)

3V8+: 1. Clemson (6:59.8); 2. Michigan (7:00.7); 3. Navy (7:25.3)

2V4+: 1. Michigan (7:23.7); 2. Navy (7:28.9); 3. Clemson (7:41.6)

Afternoon Session Final Results:

1V8+: 1. Ohio State (6:25.0); 2. Clemson (6:40.2)

1V4+: 1. Ohio State (7:28.8); 2. Clemson (7:46.9)

2V8+: 1.Ohio State (6:29.5); 2. Clemson (6:42.4)

3V8+: 1.Ohio State (6:50.0); 2. Clemson (7:12.5)

2V4+: 1. Ohio State (7:26.8); 2. Clemson (7:43.4)

Race Lineups:

1V8: Emily Goff (cox.), Samantha Duggan, Milena Heuer, Tatiana Lundstrom, Paula Wesselmann, Ashley Robinson, Becca Kretzer, Stephannie Allen, Claire Prevost

2V8: Katie Eidson (cox.), Erin Ferguson, Gaia Nencini, Aurelia Wurzel, Dana Zielinski, Lorena Croft, Cassidy Davidson, Giorgia Bergamasco, Courtney Fallon

1V4: Megan Kauffeld (cox.), Alexis Georgia, Emily Radziwon, Anna Skochdopole, Kerianne Pacheco

2V4: Kasi Sweisford (cox.), Amelia Shein, Sophia Porach, Hannah Maeser, Lydia Hanewich

3V8: Maggie Nelson (cox.), Brynn Hentschel, Alison Rehfus, Rebecca Simonetti, Amber Rewis, Megan Mars, Anna McLean, Katherine Peters, Maddie Macrone