Rowing Closes Fall Season in Style

FELLSMERE, Fla.—The Barry University rowing team ended their fall season in style, winning the varsity 8 and varsity 4 at the FIRA Fall Classic.

In the varsity 8, the women captured gold in a time of 11:59. The crew beat seven other squads including University of Florida A, which captured second in 12:08, and Nova Southeastern A which took third 12:09. The firld was rounded out by Stetson University (12:28), Florida State University (12:31), Nova Southeastern (12:33), Rollins College (12:46), and University of Florida B (12:49).

The team had to overcome a dire starting position to put themselves in contention.

“We had to fight from the back of the field,” head coach Dave Sanderson said. “But the crew did a good job staying tough and racing hard.”

The Buccaneers also captured first in the varsity 4, beating a number of SSC rivals including Nova Southeastern A which took second in 13:40. The women rowed through with a time of 13:14. The field was rounded out by Nova Southeastern A (13:41), Rollins (14:14), University of Florida B (14:25), UF & Nova B (14:31) (tie), Florida Institute of Technology (14:32), Nova C (15:07), and Stetson University (15:32).

“In the varsity 4, we had clear water and used consistent speed throughout to propel us to victory,” Sanderson said.

The Buccaneers also had a great day in novice competition. Barry captured fifth of eight in the novice 8. The field was led by University of Florida C in a time of 13:10. The remainder of the field was rounded out by Nova (13:46), University of Florida A (14:07), Florida State University (14:20), Barry (14:21), Stetson University (15:28), Rollins (15:29), and University of Florida B (15:40).

In novice 4, Barry took sixth of eight, with a time of 16:40, behind University of Florida (14:50), Stetson University (15:24), Nova Southeastern (15:28), and Florida State University (16:01). The field was rounded out by Rollins (18:18) and Florida State B (18:19).

"We competed well against the conference schools in both the Novice 8 & Novice 4 events, only being edged by Nova Southeastern. Overall, they've shown great improvements this fall & we are all looking forward to the spring," novice coach Brianna Kearns said.

“Overall it was a really good day for Barry rowing,” Sanderson added. “These results show that our athletes have been working hard and show their training has been successful.”

The Bucs now look forward to their spring season, which begins Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Stetson Sprints in Deland Florida.