INDIANAPOLIS – Barry University rowing crew’s Varsity 4+ won the NCAA Championships Repechage race over Mercyhurst Saturday at Eagle Creek Park to advance to Sunday’s Grand Final.
In light rain and windy conditions, the Bucs 4 of coxswain Angela Dasch, stroke Kasia Walentynowicz, Mandy Carper, Helene Pierre and bow Rebekah Kilroy beat Mercyhurst by nearly 23 seconds. The Buccaneers finished in 9:04.823. Mercyhurst crossed the finish line in 9:27.474.
“Obviously, we’re pleased with the result,” Bucs coach Dave Sanderson said. “I thought our athletes responded well from a bit of adversity in yesterday’s race. They came in having learned a few lessons from yesterday’s race, and really focused on the task at hand for today’s race.”
Barry advances to Sunday’s Grand Final with Nova Southeastern and Western Washington. The race is scheduled to begin at 8:50 a.m. The Bucs 8 also races in Sunday’s Grand Final with Western Washington, Nova and UC San Diego.
National champions will be crowned in each race and as a team. Watch Sunday's Grand Finals by clicking HERE.
“They took advantage of their second chance today, and they made it count,” Sanderson said of his 4. “They got themselves in the Grand Final, which is where we thought they could be.
“Tomorrow’s a new day.”