Alabama Rowing Concludes First Day of 2021 NCAA Rowing Championship, I Eights Advance to A-B Semifinals

SARASOTA, Fla. – The University of Alabama rowing's I Eights crew advanced to the A-B semifinals after topping the first seven-boat repêchage Friday afternoon, as the Crimson Tide concluded its first of three days of competition at the 2021 NCAA Rowing Championship in Sarasota, Florida.

In the morning session, all three boats progressed to the repêchages as the I Eights finished in fourth place in the third heat in 6:36.824, the II Eights finished in fifth place in the first heat in 6:52.304 and the Fours finished in fourth place in the fourth heat in 7:30.406.

Each of the Tide's three boats improved on their marks from the morning session into the afternoon's repêchages. The I Eights paced the team after shaving more than 12 seconds off its seed time to win the first heat of the seven-boat repêchage in 6:28.193, qualifying for Saturday's A-B semifinal at 7:36 a.m. CT. The II Eights placed fifth in its afternoon heat in 6:43.040, while the Fours rallied for a third-place finish in 7:30.305. Both the II Eights and the Fours progressed to their respective C-D semifinals, which are slated for 8 a.m. CT and 8:48 a.m. CT starts on Saturday.

FROM HEAD COACH GLENN PUTYRAE

"I think all of the crews raced really hard this afternoon. They were gritty races. When you're in that position, you always want to place as high as you can and I think the 2V8 and the V4 had good races, but we're always trying to figure out how to get one spot faster. At this championship, one position could be the difference in the team standings at the end of the regatta. The I Eights had an amazing race. They were really excited about it. They felt like it was the best race they've had so far. It was even and consistent and it was a fun race to watch. I think it was even more fun to be a part of, so I'm really happy for them."

FRIDAY RESULTS

Morning Session
- I Eights Heat No. 3 – 4th (6:36.824)
- II Eights Heat No. 1 – 5th (6:52.304)
- Fours Heat No. 4 – 4th (7:30.406)
Repêchage Session
- I Eights Heat No. 1 – 1st (6:28.193)
- II Eights Heat No. 1 – 5th (6:43.040)
- Four Heat No. 1 – 3rd (7:30.305)

ALABAMA LINEUPS

First Varsity 8+: Izzie Gonzales (Cox), Claudia Mecchia, Darcy Jennings, Gianna Rucki, Brittany Hill, Ella Kemna, Ella Maggio, Gabrielle Krieger, Rebekah Stewart
Second Varsity 8+: Emma Shekenberg (Cox), Keilani Hamann, Makena Clark, Saskia Dammersmith, Michala Struble, Sydney Wenstrom, Samantha Gafford, Raegan Beightol, Jacqueline White
Varsity 4+: Haley Alexander (Cox), Elizabeth Struble, Lauren Montgomery, Emily Strawbridge, McKenna Carroll

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

7:36 a.m. CT – A/B Semifinals (I Eights)
8 a.m. CT – C/D Semifinals (II Eights)
8:48 a.m. CT – C/D Semifinals (Fours)

For the latest information on the team, follow @AlabamaRow on Twitter and Instagram and Alabama Rowing on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at UA_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and AlabamaAthletics on Facebook.

University of Alabama Athletics