MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Barry University’s rowing crew brought home medals in five events at the Head of the Indian Creek Regatta Sunday.
Hosted by Shane Watersports Center, the regatta is a 4,450-meter (2.7 miles) head race where all boats start sequentially and race against the clock.
“We haven’t raced at the Head of the Indian Creek Regatta in many years, but we will surely be back next year at this great event, and hope more colleges are encouraged to join us,” Buccaneers second-year coach Boban Rankovic said. “The ability for the athletes to race multiple events and race lineups on our home course a week before the bigger Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston is invaluable. This local regatta is well run, and offers us good early season competition.”
Barry’s B Varsity 4 of coxswain Stephanie Dinkel, stroke Sara Rus Alba, Ellie Hartman, Mandy Carper and bow Jelena Momirov finished second in 17:34 behind Miami. Barry’s A 4 of cox Angela Dasch, stroke Rosie Boncheva, Anais Foppoli, Paola Girotto and bow Paula Klak got off to an unlucky start, catching some seaweed on their skeg during the race, which slowed them to a fourth place finish in 18:00.
The Bucs varsity 8+ of cox Dasch, stroke Alba, Hartman, Luna Ugrenovic, Beth Desmond, Samantha McKenzie, Stefanie Sciolaro, Momirov and Mandy Carper won the race in 16:28. Barry’s B boat of cox Dinkel, stroke Foppoli, Boncheva, Klak, Girotto, Rebekka Greenwalt, Spiadgie Anthony and bow Aude Tchie, finished second in 17:36.
Ugrenovic finished first in the singles with a time of 23:42. Tchie was second in 25:02.
Barry’s Novice 8+ of cox Stephanie Rodriguez, stroke Sciolaro, Cierra Salado, Greenwalt, Zenobia Philippe, Jensen Rayburn, Veronica Biederman, Anthony and bow Kristy Figueroa also caught an unlucky break as the boat got caught up in seaweed. The Bucs were disqualified from receiving an official time due to steering issues.
In total, the Bucs had seven entries in the 22-year-old regatta.
“Our team is growing in size, depth and most importantly speed,” Rankovic said. “Newcomers and returners contributed to the impressive racing. We are really excited about our novice squad and their potential. We’re also looking forward seeing them race in few weeks.”
Barry will race at the Head of the Charles in Cambridge, Mass., Saturday and Sunday. Last year, the Bucs won the Collegiate 4+, an event they will race again as well as the Collegiate 8+. Crews from all across the country and Canada will compete in one of the fall’s most prestigious regattas.