University of Louisville
<B>KENTUCKY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS</B>
Rowers Sweep Kentucky State Championship
April 27, 2003 | Rowing
April 27, 2003
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville swept all five races against Murray State to win the Kentucky State Rowing Championship Sunday morning on the Ohio River near Six Mile Island. More than 700 spectators were in attendance aboard the Belle of Louisville as they watched the Cardinals retain the trophy from last year.
The Cards dominated the Varsity 8+ races and won both the 2,000-meter race and 500-meter sprint. In the 2,000-meter event, U of L finished in 6:33.60, nearly one minute ahead of Murray State (7:25.19). The Cardinals beat the Racers in the sprint by 20 seconds, finishing with a time of 2:09.84.
Louisville's Varsity 8+ was comprised of Leslie Walters, Lisa Terreberry, Brooke Spence, Stephanie George, Carmen Noltemeyer, Stephanie Hutton, Jessica Grigsby and Allison Kemphaus. Christy Ochsner was the coxswain in the 2,000-meter race, while Diana Golub coxed the sprint.
In the First Novice 8+ race, Louisville won the race after finishing the 2,000-meter course in 7:02.33. Murray State had a time of 7:25.90.
Shannon Gilland coxed the crew of Mandy Botelho, Natalie Richards, Amelia Buhts, Miranda Popp, K.C. McCrocklin, Jessica Gaul, Olivia Brittain and Courtney Graham.
The Cards' Second Novice 8+ crew also had a big win in the 2,000-meter race. Louisville finished the course with a time of 7:23.90, while Murray State came in at 8:30.40.
U of L's boat was made up of Rania Attum, Meredith McBride, Amanda Clephas, Mandy Moore, Jenna Sample, Jenni Vadney, Dena Broughman-Scott, Devon Scott and coxswain Toncia Ledesma.
In the Novice 8+ sprint, the Cardinals' First Novice 8+ squad won the four-team race with a 500-meter time of 2:21.10. Murray State's First Novice 8+ team placed runner-up with a time 2:24.79, followed by the Second Novice 8+ boats of Louisville (2:30.89) and Murray State (2:55.56).
"This was a great day of racing for both our rowers and the fans," said U of L head coach Richard Ruggieri. "The weather was absolutely beautiful and the fans were able to see some good races of collegiate rowing. Hopefully we can take this momentum into the NCAA Regionals as we strive for a bid to the nationals."
The Cardinals' Varsity 8+ crew will compete at the regionals May 17-18 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
BOAT/OARS DEDICATIONS
In a tradition started last year, U of L Rowing shows its appreciation to special supporters of the program by dedicating shells and/or oars in their honor. Saturday night, the program dedicated three shells and a set of oars at its annual awards dinner.
The three shells were dedicated to Fred Meijer, Chairman Emeritus of Meijer, Stan Curtis, Senior Vice President of Hilliard Lyons, and Julie Hermann, Senior Woman Administrator at U of L. Each person's name will be placed on the side of the shell named in their honor.
A set of oars was also dedicated to the Central Cardinal Club.
KENTUCKY STATE ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP
Louisville, Ky.
Varsity 8+ (2000m) 1. LOUISVILLE 6:33.60 2. Murray State 7:25.19
First Novice 8+ (2000m) 1. LOUISVILLE 7:02.33 2. Murray State 7:25.90
Second Novice 8+ (2000m) 1. LOUISVILLE 7:23.90 2. Murray State 8:30.40
Varsity 8+ Sprint (500m) 1. LOUISVILLE 2:09.84 2. Murray State 2:29.56
Novice 8+ Sprint (500m) 1. LOUISVILLE 2:21.10 2. Murray State 2:24.79 3. LOUISVILLE 2:30.89 4. Murray State 2:55.56
