Barry University's No. 3-ranked rowing team will compete in the Sunshine State Conference Championships Friday at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla. The first race, the Varsity 4, begins at 9 a.m., followed by the Varsity 8 race at 9:15.
The Bucs won last year's SSC title -- the first year the league hosted the championships regatta in Sarasota.
In the fall, the Buccaneers won the prestigious Head of the Charles Women's Collegiate Fours event, featuring top Division I and II teams from around the country. The Bucs are coming off a first place finish in the Varsity 8 Grand Final of the San Diego Crew Classic three weeks earlier.
Barry, under first-year head coach Boban Rankovic, will field a Varsity 8 boat and Varsity 4 boat in the league championships. The 4 is made up of coxswain Stephanie Dinkel, stroke Ellie Hartman, Rebekah Kilroy, Lulu Mariscal and bow Spiadgie Anthony. The 8's crew is comprised of cox Angela Dasch, stroke Beth Desmond, Kristina Boncheva, Sam McKenzie, Luna Ugrenovic, Jelena Momirov, Paola Girotto, Anais Foppoli and bow Mandy Carper.
Three teams competing in the SSC Championships are ranked in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association poll. In addition to the No. 3 Bucs, Nova Southeastern is No. 1 and Florida Tech No. 7.