Rowing Earns Gold at Hobb's Island Regatta
10/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Rowing
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Alabama Rowing team took two gold medals and a silver at the Hobb's Island Regatta here on the Tennessee River.
It marks the first time in the Crimson Tide's two seasons as an NCAA varsity program that it has competed in a regatta in the state of Alabama.
"It was a good meet for us in a lot of ways," head coach Larry Davis said. "There was some tough competition on the water and that will help us as we move forward. It was also a good way to promote the team and the sport in the state."
Alabama won the Championship 4s race, turning in a time of 22:01, 30 seconds ahead of second place Murray State and more than a minute ahead of third place Tennessee-Chattanooga.
"It was a good day for our Varsity 4," Davis said. "Especially considering they only had one day of practice together coming into this weekend."
Alabama's first Varsity 8 boat had the weekend off after taking a silver medal at last weekend's Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, but the Tide's No. 2 Varsity boat raced hard, taking the silver medal in the Championship 8s race, just behind Murray State. Alabama's second varsity boat turned in a 19:17, well ahead of third place Suwannee.
It marked the first competition of the season for the Tide's Novices. The rookies came through with a first and third place finish in the Novice 8s race. Alabama's A boat crossed the finish line at 22 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by Murray State in second at 22:36. Alabama's B boat finished third at 22:52.
"Overall it was a very good weekend for the Crimson Tide," Davis said. "We competed hard against some tough competition and I think it was a very good tune-up for next weekend when we will see some top-level NCAA Division I competition."
Alabama returns to action at the Head of the Chattahoochee Regatta in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Nov. 3.
