FELLSMERE, Fla. – The Barry University women’s rowing team closed out the fall portion of their championship season on Saturday at the Florida Fall Classic hosted by Florida Tech.
In the varsity 8+ (Cox: Lisa Frandy, Stroke: Robin Cascioli, Janelle Cross, Rebekah Evans, Elise Carlson, Summerlin Knipe, VanCheska Koch, Stephanie Ricker, Tara O’Neil), the Buccaneers finished fifth out of seven shells with a time of 13.09. Nova Southeastern was the varsity 8+ winner at 12:30, while NCAA Division I Stetson (12.36) finished second. Rollins (12:53) turned in a third-place showing, while Florida’s “A” boat finished forth with a time of 13:05. Florida Tech (13:27) and Florida’s “B” shell (13:50) rounded out the field respectively.
In their first actual race on the water, the novice 4+ “A” (Cox: Mirline Valentin, Stroke: Rhiannon Doka, Katie Burke, Beyza Kutlu. Bow: Stephanie Logsdon) finished last with no time due to official complications, but according to head coach Dave Sanderson, “it was a good learning experience for these young ladies.”
Rollins won the Novice 4+ “A” event with a time of 14:00 flat. Nova Southeastern finished 0:47 second behind in second place, while Central Florida (15:51) and Stetson (16:16) finished third and fourth respectively.
Heading into the final race of the day, the varsity 4+ (Cox: Lisa Frandy, Stroke: Robin Cascioli, Janelle Cross, Rebekah Evans, Bow: Elise Carlson) was motivated for their last event for the fall season. The Buccaneers won the varsity 4+ races with a time of 13:26 out of eight boats and finished ahead of four NCAA Division I programs.
Nova Southeastern’s “B” shell finished second with a time of 13:42, while Florida Tech (13:55) finished third. Stetson (14:18) finished fourth, while Florida’s “B” finished fifth with a time of 14:32. Nova’s “A” (14:54), Rollins (15:04), Florida’s “A” boat (15:11) and Central Florida (16:49) rounded out the event.
“The girls’ motivation heading into the final race of the fall is what helped them win,” Sanderson said. “They just went after it and won, which give them confidence as we head into our winter training.”
The Buccaneers will open up the spring portion of their championship season on Saturday, Mar. 22 in a Tri-Meet held in Fellsmere, Fla.