Rowing Qualifies Six Boats to Sunday Big 12 Grand Finals
5/16/2015 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
For the first time in program history, all six of Alabama's boats will advance to Grand Final rounds on Sunday at the Big 12 Championships with a chance to compete for the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
The weather report wasn't very optimistic early on, but conditions eventually cleared in time for a quality First Varsity 8 race that set the tone for Alabama early.
"We were a little concerned about the weather early on," said Head Coach Larry Davis. "The forecast wasn't great but after some initial rain we were able to avoid the bad weather. The First Varsity 8 kicked things off and did the right sprint at the right time. It was an exciting finish and great way to start the racing."
The Tide's First Varsity 8 finished third in its heat and sixth overall in 6:48.91, just edging out West Virginia by less than one second to secure a top-six finish and a spot in Sunday's Grand Final. The Second Varsity 8 followed suit in the next race, placing third in its heat and fifth overall in 6:49.48.
"As we went through each race, everybody stepped it up," said Davis. "It is the first time we all reached grand finals it is a great step forward for the program. It was great to see the team step forward like that."
In the First Varsity 4, Alabama placed sixth in 7:38.92 while the Second Varsity 4 and Third Varsity 8 earned the Tide's highest finish of the day in fourth place at 7:39.35 and 7:07.17, respectively. Alabama wrapped up the day with a fourth-place finish in an exhibition Third Varsity 4 in 8:11.20.
Sunday events at Melton Hill Lake begin at 9 a.m. CT. The final event of the day is the First Varsity 8 at 10:30 a.m. followed by the awards ceremony.
