PHILADELPHIA, Penn. - The Humboldt State women's rowing team didn't let harsh weather conditions effect its determination Friday, advancing to Saturday's semi-final round at the 71st Dad Vail Regatta in the Division II/III varsity eight.
Due to choppy waters the Dad Vail Regatta changed the first day's four-heat races to time trials, taking the top 12 fastest boats in each race to advance to the semi-final round. The course was shortened due to the fast flow of the water and as a precaution against boats running into the bridge.
The Lumberjacks advanced to the semi-final race after finishing ninth with a time of 4 minutes, 52.26 seconds. Mercyhurst College took the fastest time of 4:40.89, followed by Seattle Pacific's 4:43.16 finish. After tomorrow's semi-finals boats will either advance to the grand final or petite final.
"The athletes felt they had a good race," Humboldt State head women's rowing coach Robin Meiggs said. "They said it was an excruciating high sprint and that they felt good about it. Even though it wasn't their best race, it is very encouraging heading into tomorrow.
"Today we had some real strong points, good focus and intensity, but they had a hard time in the last 500 meters. They weren't clearly defined on what they wanted to do, and the coxswain was not as clear as she could have been. We talked in great length about that and we'll work on that tomorrow."
May 8, 2009
Division II/III Varsity Eight Results
1. Mercyhurst College - 4:40.89
2. Seattle Pacific - 4:43.16
3. Grand Valley - 4:43.85
4. Philadelphia University - 4:45.65
5. Rochester Institute of Technology - 4:46.59
6. Dowling College - 4:47.39
7. Nova - 4:51.25
8. Orange Coast College - 4:51.94
9. Humboldt State - 4:52.26
10. Washington University (St. Louis) - 4:52.58
11. Barry University - 4:53.75
12. Florida Tech - 4:54.59