Rowing Names V8+ Boat After Every Athletic Staff Member On Eve of ACCs

Friday, May 14

Clemson, SC

TBA

University of Louisville

ACC Championship

Pic of new V8 Boat decal named after Athletic staff

Rowing Names V8+ Boat After Every Athletic Staff Member On Eve of ACCs

May 13, 2021 | Rowing

Cards unveil their Varsity Eight Boat on the Eve of the ACC Championships

By: Nancy Worley

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After a tumultuous year of training leading up to this weekend's ACC Championships, the University of Louisville rowing team unveiled the new name for their Varsity Eight boat that includes the name of every single athletic department member in gratitude for the staff's contribution and hard work.

"Naming a boat is a very significant honor in our sport," said Derek Copeland, UofL head coach. "The only other name we have ever put on a boat is Garvin Brown, who was the lead donor for our beautiful boat house, and Athena, which was a salute to Elaine Wise, our NCAA faculty rep for so many years. We met to decide how we could connect our program with the department and express gratitude for everyone who has helped us get on the water."

It was not a small undertaking as it took the Cards' assistant coach, Ed Oxlade, three hours to install the decal with all the names while keeping it a secret from the team and the rest of the staff, including Matt Banker, the sport's administrator.

"It is an honor to race in this boat showing the names of the individuals in the athletic department who were able to help us get to this point of the year. Their efforts during the pandemic allowed us to do what we love to do which is row. I know that myself as well as the rest of the team is extremely grateful," said rower McKenzie Sweeney.

The boat's official name is Leave a Legacy and the staff believed that adding the staff's names was the best way to capture this year's hardships and the staff's resilience.

"It is a cool way to show how much everyone matters to us and it turned out great," said Copeland.

The 2021 ACC Rowing Championship starts Friday, May 14 at 8:05 a.m. with the Third Varsity Eight, followed by the First Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Eight, First Varsity Four and Second Varsity Four. There will be two heats of each event.

The Cardinals' V8+ boat will be in Heat 2, lane 2 (8:40 a.m.). UofL's 2V8+ boat will race in Heat 2, lane 2 (9:05). The Cards' V4+ boat will be in Heat 2, lane 3 (9:30) with the 2V4+ taking off in Heat 2, lane 3 (9:55).

"We had a very strange season, really everybody did. I gave up gossip and excuses so I won't go any further than that. We found some speed and we hope to out-perform our seed. We had a solid two weeks of practice after a good showing at Michigan," said Copeland.

On Saturday, May 15, the Petite Final will be held prior to the Grand Final of each event with action set to begin at 8:05 a.m. The order of events includes the Third Varsity Eight, Second Varsity Four, First Varsity Four, Second Varsity Eight and First Varsity Eight.

Three ACC teams are ranked among the latest US Rowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Poll with Virginia headlining the group at No. 3, followed by No. 10 Syracuse and No. 16 Duke. Additionally, Clemson, Louisville and Notre Dame are receiving votes.

ACC Network Extra coverage is available for the prelims on Friday and the finals on Saturday. A one-hour championship recap show will air on ACC Network on Sunday, May 23 at 7 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans will not be permitted to attend the championship.

Schedule of Events
Friday, May 14 – Prelims
Time - Event
8:05 am - III Varsity Eight (Heat 1)
8:15 am - III Varsity Eight (Heat 2)
8:30 am - I Varsity Eight (Heat 1)
8:40 am - I Varsity Eight (Heat 2)
8:55 am - II Varsity Eight (Heat 1)
9:05 am - II Varsity Eight (Heat 2)
9:20 am - I Varsity Four (Heat 1)
9:30 am - I Varsity Four (Heat 2)
9:45 am - II Varsity Four (Heat 1)
9:55 am - II Varsity Four (Heat 2)

Saturday, May 15 – Finals
Time - Event
8:05 am - III Varsity Eight (Petite Final)
8:15 am - III Varsity Eight (Grand Final)
8:30 am - II Varsity Four (Petite Final)
8:40 am - II Varsity Four (Grand Final)
8:55 am - I Varsity Four (Petite Final)
9:05 am - I Varsity Four (Grand Final)
9:20 am - II Varsity Eight (Petite Final)
9:30 am - II Varsity Eight (Grand Final)
9:45 am - I Varsity Eight (Petite Final)
9:55 am - I Varsity Eight (Grand Final)

Lineups:
V8+
Rosie Devine (Cox), McKenzie Sweeney, Jordan Kraski, Violette Legrand, Caitlin Bentley, Katie Beiler, Claudia Figueiredo, Parekura Kellow, Michaela Dukes

2V8+
Ellee Grosser (Cox), Olivia Oestreich, Madison Cicha, Evey Peplowski, Nahdeen Hassanain, McKenzie Vaughn, Riley Kerber, Megan Lee, Emily Corso.

V4
Izzy Hussey (Cox), Alaina Brauer, Charlotte Almond, Eliza Wack, Madeline Dodd

2V4
Heidi Anderson (Cox), Caitlyn Pike, Gabi Zanoni, Sydney Paulus, Ainsley Mattingly

How to Watch
ACC Network Extra
Friday, May 14 - https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=ba158956-9126-46f9-b561-4096b8050abd
Saturday, May 15 - https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=15f07e26-6fcb-438c-8761-380c4ab0a7e6