Cardinal Rowers Set to Host 1st Kentucky State Championships Sunday
April 23, 2002 | Rowing
April 23, 2002
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the first time in the program's brief three-year history, the University of Louisville women's rowing team will race in front of its home crowd as the Cardinals prepare to host the 1st Kentucky State Championships Sunday morning.
The Cards will compete in four races against Murray State on the Ohio River near Six Mile Island. The Varsity 8+ squads will open the competition with a 2000m race starting at 10 a.m., with the next three races beginning at 10:15, 10:30 and 10:45.
"This will be a great opportunity for the Louisville community to get a taste of collegiate rowing," said U of L head coach Richard Ruggieri. "Fans will find the sport an exciting one to watch and that the art of rowing is pleasing to the eye when done with proper technique."
Spectators will enjoy a morning cruise on the Spirit of Jefferson as it travels to the race venue at Six Mile Island. From there, fans will be able to cheer the teams through the finish line. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Highland Coffee.
Admission to the cruise is free, however due to a limited capacity, tickets will be required to board. To reserve a ticket, please contact Emily Egge at 852-3325 or email her at esegge01@gwise.louisville.edu. Boarding will begin at 8:40 a.m. and the cruise will shove off from Fourth Street and River Road at 9 a.m.
Free parking will be available at the U of L Boathouse located east of Waterfront Park off River Road. A shuttle will take fans to and from the Spirit of Jefferson. Paid parking is also available at Joe's Crabshack or the Second Street Garage.
The Cardinal rowing team will host a barbecue following the races at the boathouse. The event will be catered by Firehouse Barbeque and Smoothie King. Lunch will be $7 per plate.
The Varsity 8+ squad of Allison Kemphaus, Ashley Spence, Leslie Walters, Lucy Svehla, Carmen Noltemeyer, Stephanie George, Brooke Spence, Nikki Lee and coxswain Christy Ochsner has been on a roll as of late, with wins in four of its last six races.
The Novice 4+ team of Andrea Murray, Holly Tomkins, Tabitha Thomas, Karen Bramer and coxswain Diana Golub will look to get some revenge this weekend as Murray State defeated them this past Sunday in the finals of the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.
Louisville and Murray State are the only two schools in Kentucky that sponsor NCAA Division I rowing.
