Alabama Rowing Captures Big 12’s First Boat of the Week Award of 2019 Season
3/28/2019 10:33:00 AM | Rowing
The Crimson Tide’s First Varsity 8+ becomes the program’s first boat to receive the honor since joining the Big 12 in 2015
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama rowing's First Varsity 8+ has been recognized as the first Big 12 Boat of the Week of the 2019 season, it was announced Thursday morning by the conference.
It is the first Big 12 weekly honor for the Crimson Tide since joining the conference as an affiliate member in 2015.
"We are honored to be recognized by the coaches of the Big 12 for our early season performances," UA head coach Glenn Putyrae said.
The award-winning crew consists of junior Sydney Boles (coxswain), sophomore Cori Guay (stroke), senior Tressa Vitus (7), sophomore Jorja MacRae (6), junior Carley McCoin (5), senior Raien Emery (4), sophomore Darcy Jennings (3), junior Peyton Cowell (2) and junior Rebekah Stewart (bow).
The crew earned the award for their historic showing at the Cardinal Invite, March 16-17, where Alabama's 1V8+ squared off against three teams that qualified for last year's NCAA Championship. Going head-to-head against then-No. 6 Yale and No. 7 Virginia, the Tide finished only three (UVA) to seven (Yale) seconds off the two top-10 teams.
The 1V8+ highlighted the final day of racing by beating out then-No. 16 Indiana by one second to post the fastest time of any Varsity 8+ crew of the day by three-tenths of a second. The victory played a role in the Tide sweeping a top-20 team for the first time in program history.
"I'm really proud of my boat and everything they have accomplished this early on in the season," Boles said. "The dedication to constant hard work from each person is incredible and it is such an honor for me to be a part of this Varsity 8+ this year."
Alabama returns to the water Saturday, March 30 in Tuscaloosa hosting Creighton and Jacksonville in its final home race of the season. The regatta will also serve as Senior Day and its annual Power of Pink race.
For the most up-to-date information on the team, follow Alabama rowing via AlabamaRow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. General athletic news can be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter
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