Rowing Races Bucknell in Spring Opener
3/11/2007 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
ELBERTON, Ga. - The University of Alabama Rowing team got its inaugural spring season underway this weekend, taking on Bucknell University on Russell Lake in Elberton, Ga. It was Alabama's first dual meet competition as an NCAA Division I program.
"I think overall we did a good job for our first dual meet of the spring," Alabama head coach Larry Davis said. "There are certainly things we need to work on. I think our varsity now has a clearer awareness of what it takes to be competitive against top NCAA teams. Our novices did a very nice job of executing out there today."
In the varsity eight, Bucknell came away with the win with a time of 6:54.49 while the Tide was just behind at 7:03.01. In the second varsity eight race Bucknell posted a 7:04.12 to take the win while Alabama crossed the line at 7:30.01.
"Our first varsity boat was actually leading for the first third of the race and were even as they entered the second half of the race," Davis said. "Bucknell made a move in the third 500 of the race and we didn't respond. We actually made up ground in the last 500. I think if we had cleaned things up in the third 500, we'd have certainly done better and had a chance to win."
The Tide's second varsity boat was done in by Bucknell's superior depth and power, a situation that was reversed in the novice races where Alabama dominated the Bison, taking first and second in both the first and second races of the day.
"With a much bigger varsity crew, Bucknell was just more powerful than our second eight," Davis said. "Our second varsity boat's time was about where I thought it would be."
"In the novice races, our girls were much more powerful and together in their races," Davis said. "They just outclassed the Bucknell team, turning in a strong performance and just out-executing them."
In the first novice eight race, Alabama's first boat won the race with a 7:36 while its second boat finished next with a 7:54. Bucknell brought up the rear with an 8:23.
In the second novice race Alabama again picked up the win with the first boat crossing the line with a 7:43 and the second Tide boat posting an 8:00 finish. Bucknell was again third with an 8:44.
Davis takes his squad to Oak Ridge, Tenn. next Sunday where the Tide faces off against Notre Dame, an NCAA qualifier last season and three-time defending Big East Champion. The Melton Lake course where the two teams will compete is the site of both the South/Central Regional and the NCAA championships this year.
Varsity Eight Results
1. Bucknell, 6:54.49
2. Alabama, 7:03.01
Second Varsity Eight Results
1. Bucknell, 7:04.12
2. Alabama, 7:30.01
Novice Eight Results
(first race)
1. Alabama, 7:36
2. Alabama, 7:54
3. Bucknell, 8:23
(second race)
1. Alabama, 7:43
2. Alabama, 8:00
3. Bucknell, 8:44
