University of Louisville
at SIRA Championships
Rowers Win Two Golds and a Silver at SIRA Championships
April 18, 2004 | Rowing
April 18, 2004
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The University of Louisville rowing team had perhaps its biggest weekend in the four-year history of the program as the Cardinals won two gold medals and a silver over the weekend at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
In the Varsity 4+ Grand Final, Louisville dominated the six-boat field and finished the 2000-meter race in seven minutes, 32.5 seconds, more than 15 seconds ahead of runner-up Tennessee (7:48.9). SMU placed third in 7:53.7, followed by Central Florida (7:57.5), Jacksonville (8:04.4) and Wake Forest (8:04.7).
The crew consisted of Leslie Walters, Allison Kemphaus, Brooke Spence, Stephanie George and coxswain Christy Ochsner.
"I am very pleased with the Varsity 4+ gold," said head coach Richard Ruggieri. "We had four seniors in the boat and for them to finish their careers at SIRA with a gold is a tremendous accomplishment for them."
The Cardinals' Varsity Pair of Jessica Grigsby and Lisa Terreberry also won a gold medal to give U of L two for the weekend. Times were not available.
Louisville won its silver medal in the First Novice 8+ race as the Cards finished with a time of 7:11.8, just three seconds behind winner Purdue (7:07.1). Tennessee was third at 7:12.8, followed by Kansas State (7:14.4), Dayton (7:19.1) and George Mason (7:44.1).
In the shell for U of L was Colleen Blaschuk, Nicole Alderson, Martha Shults, Beth Daunhauer, Jen Allen, Melissa Grieshaber, Dana Osoffsky, Stephanie Baker and coxswain Jenna Sample.
"The novice squad rowed an amazing race," said Ruggieri. "They had a fantastic sprint at the end and I look forward to coaching them at the varsity level next year."
The Cards' Second Novice 8+ finished fourth in the Grand Final after finishing second in Friday's semifinals.
"Our entire program overachieved this weekend," Ruggieri said. "They all rowed well and extremely hard and I am so proud of each of them."
The Cardinals return to action Sunday when they host Murray State in the 3rd Annual Derby Collegiate Rowing Championships at 11 a.m. on the Ohio River. Tickets are $5 with the purchase of a Derby Festival Pin. For more information, please call 852-3325.
