Florida Tech Women’s Rowing Looks Toward Spring After FIRA Fall Classic

By  //  November 12, 2013

TEAM LOOKS FOWARD TO MARCH

The Panthers competed against five other schools in a head race format in the varsity four, eight and freshman/novice four. (Florida Tech image)
The Panthers competed against five other schools in a head race format in the varsity four, eight and freshman/novice four. (Florida Tech image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Florida Tech concluded its fall season with the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Fall Classic on Saturday at Canal 54.

The Panthers will open their spring season schedule in March. (Florida Tech image)
The Panthers will open their spring season schedule in March. (Florida Tech image)

The Panthers competed against five other schools in a head race format in the varsity four, eight and freshman/novice four.

“We were happy with the performance (on Saturday) for this stage of the season and know we have a lot more speed to pull out of this group before April and May,” head coach Adam Thorstad said.

The Panthers started the day by racing two crews in the varsity four. The first boat finished the 2,000-meter course at 15:26 for sixth place. The second boat, clocked in at 15:54 for eighth place. Recording the fastest time by 30 seconds was Barry’s ‘A’ boat at 13:48.

“We were happy with the performance (on Saturday) for this stage of the season and know we have a lot more speed to pull out of this group before April and May,” head coach Adam Thorstad said.

Adam Thorstad
Adam Thorstad

Rowing in the shell with the sixth-fastest time was stroke Jordan Ursch, Natalie Miller, Caitlin Wood, Hannah Santa Luciaand coxswain Samantha McCuskey. Helping FIT’s second crew earn the eighth-best time was stroke Morgan Billig, Taylor Troy, Samantha Martinez, bow Anastasia Stodolski and coxswain Beatriz Saldana.

FIT then regrouped for the varsity eight event where it had the sixth-fastest time at 14:33. Nova Southeastern powered down the course at 13:11 to finish first. Emlyn MacKenzie coxed the boat with Ursch in the stroke seat, Miller, Billig, Troy, Jessica Weatherman, Stodolski, Wood and Santa Lucia at bow providing the speed.

TEAM LOOKS FOWARD TO MARCH

Before the race came to a close, FIT’s freshman/novice four won its event with a time of 15:32. Jacksonville almost rowed just as well as the Panthers, but had the second-best time by two seconds. Florida, Nova Southeastern and Rollins were third through fifth, in order. Racing for the Panthers were Corine Roberts at stroke, Jessica Bunting,Tania Kilcullen, bow Rachel Reinhard and Saldana at coxswain.

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