Badger openweight rowing wins in Milwaukee
September 19, 2009 | Women's Rowing
Boats from the Wisconsin women's openweight rowing program captured the top spot in both the women's eight and women's four during the ninth annual Milwaukee River Challenge on Saturday. The racing took place on the Milwaukee and Menomonee Rivers.
'I think it went really well,' said head coach Bebe Bryans. 'I was really pleased with the performance. It was a good way to start the season. The regatta was well run and therefore it was easy to do what we came here to do. Thanks to the regatta directors. They did a great job.'
The Badger openweight A boat took first in the women's eight, clocking a 17:45.3 on the three-mile course. The time was over 13 seconds faster than the second place boat, the Wisconsin lightweight eight. Taking third was the UW's B boat in 18:00.3.
The winning UW crew included coxswain Sarah Obernauer, Vicki Opitz, Hayley Leinns, Briana Pittman, Grace Latz, Anna Schettle, Vanessa Kleiss, Meryl Chaffee and Katie Hurtis.
In the women's four, the Badger openweight top entry of coxswain Molly Evjen and double winners Vicki Opitz, Hayley Leinss, Meryl Chaffee and Katie Hurtis, placed first in 19:11.1. The top openweight entry had a six-second gap over the second place UW lightweight A crew. UW openweight boats also placed third (19:17.7), fourth (19:59.6) and seventh (20:39.15).
'For the first races for a young team, I think they held their composure pretty well,' added Bryans. 'We have a lot of work to do on technique, but they really were aggressive and that is what we wanted. All in all, a very successful day. '
The Badgers return to the water next Saturday for their annual Class Day Races. UW rowing alumni return to campus and race current Badgers, separated into boats by class, in a fun-filled morning. Racing on Lake Mendota begins at 9 a.m., out of Porter Boathouse.
