Rowing Set to Open Spring with Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational
March 15, 2013 | Rowing
March 15, 2013
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville rowing program will open its 2013 spring racing season serving as the host school for this weekend's Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational.
The event will be contested on Saturday and Sunday on Melton Hill Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Oak Ridge Rowing Association will be responsible for all timing associated with this weekend's event. Official weekend results will be posted at Row2K.com.
The Oak Ridge Cardinal Invitational will feature numerous talented programs, led by reigning NCAA rowing champion Virginia. UVA, which also won the 2010 NCAA title, will be challenged by reigning BIG EAST champion and 2012 NCAA participant Notre Dame. Other programs competing this weekend will be Alabama, Buffalo, Dayton, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Georgetown, Kansas, Miami (Fla.) and West Virginia.
"We've had a chance to test our speed a bit, and it looks like the team is improving. The bottom line, though, is that they are having fun working hard. I really think that is what it is about for us this year," said Louisville rowing head coach Derek Copeland. "The captains (Amy Van Syoc, Ellen Fawcett, and Kathleen O'Connell) have stepped up this year. I think they have done a great job keeping this group humble and hungry. It is invigorating to be around them each day".
The Cardinals will have six crews competing at the this weekend's event - a varsity eight, a second varsity eight, a trio of varsity four boats and a novice eight boat. Louisville will open the weekend with Saturday morning races against Virginia and West Virginia. Louisville's afternoon races on Saturday will be against Duke and Eastern Michigan. The Cardinals will conclude the weekend with Sunday morning races against Notre Dame, Miami and Kansas.
Following this weekend's event, the Cardinals will have a week away from competition before returning to Oak Ridge to compete against Tennessee on Saturday, March 30.
