‘Cuse Posts Strong Results at Clemson

Saturday, April 19

Clemson, S.C.

TBA

Syracuse University

Clemson Invitational / O'Leary Cup

4/20/2014 2:31:00 PM | Women's Rowing

Syracuse women’s rowing finishes weather-shortened Clemson Invitational strong.

Complete Results

CLEMSON, S.C. – The No. 18 Syracuse women's rowing team continued its strong performance on two of the weather-shortened Clemson Invitational on Sunday.

After finishing fifth in its first race of the morning, Syracuse's top boat, the varsity eight, finished the day with its strongest performance of the weekend, finishing second to No. 15 Wisconsin. The second varsity eight, after a disappointing finish on Saturday, turned in a pair of inspired performances on Sunday, finishing second in both its races. SU's varsity four continued its stellar rowing, winning its only race of the day, while the third varsity eight placed third in its race.

The Clemson Invitational brought together 21 of the country's top rowing program's racing on Lake Hartwell's seven lane 2,000-meter course. After inclement weather forced the postponement of Saturday's second session, Sunday's second session was cut short by deteriorating conditions.

"The 21 crews that were here are participating in the future of the sport," head coach Justin Moore said. "This regatta is special in the quality of the competition and really high-quality event. It had a lot of cross-conference referencing and was really important."

SU's V8 finished behind Washington State, Michigan State, Gonzaga and Oregon State in its seven-crew early-morning race before making adjustments to place second in its later race, beating third-place Louisville, fourth-place Penn and fifth-place Gonzaga all by open water.

"We had a rigging issue with the varsity eight in its first race for the conditions we were in," Moore said. "That adjustment was made for the second race and we finished second to Wisconsin in a very good race. I feel like we are making some good progress"

The Orange 2V8 put in two impressive performances, finishing second to Washington State by just .6 seconds in its first race before posting another second-place finish, this time to Louisville by 1.6 ticks.

"Our second varsity eight, those guys are rowing out of their minds right now," Moore said. "The spirit, the toughness that that boat is showing is really great."

Moore's V4 continued to show the improved depth of this season's squad, winning its seven-boat race by 1.4 seconds over Washington State and vast open water over the other five crews. The 3V8 was third to Michigan State and Indiana with open water over the other four crews in its race.

"There is an expression, Moore said. " 'You can go to a race, or you can go to race,' and these guys came to race."

The Orange heads south for another two-day regatta next weekend when it competes at the Monticello Invitational at Virginia on April 26-27. It will serve as the final tune-up for the Orange's first ACC Championship, to be held May 17-18 back on the site of this week's regatta, Lake Hartwell, S.C.

"The work that the women did this winter showed up in these races," Moore said. "With three 2K races in one weekend, to come out there and be able to execute was really a product of the fitness the women committed to this winter."