The Crimson Tide competed against schools across the South in the first regatta of the season. It was a tough weekend for competition in Chattanooga, considering the poor conditions due to rain and wind.
Coach Larry Davis said he was pleased with the effort the team put forth in the events.
“We won three medals in the opening race, which is great,” Davis said. “Everyone performed well, even with the poor conditions.”
The overall winner for the event was Georgia Tech, but the Crimson Tide was successful in several finishes. The team claimed six medals in total, with victories in two 8+ events and second- and third-place finishes in a 2x race
Davis and the team said last week they would like to do their best, and to see how it matched up with the competition, but Davis said the results showed there was still work to be done.
“There are some things we need to work on,” Davis said. “We’re going to get more competitive.”
Jennifer Parker and Maureen Purcell both had strong showings, with the two of them being part of the collegiate 8+ team and Parker winning the Championship 2x race. While they said they are satisfied with the results, they are looking ahead to this weekend at the Head of the Charles race in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
“It was great to sweep the eight again,” Parker said. “But we are going up against some really good crews this weekend. We want to show that we can compete.”
Purcell said she believes the team is in competitive form and is ready for the weekend.
“We were prepared to get down to business coming into the season, and now we are really meshing together,” Purcell said. “This weekend is huge. It’s a national race at the center of rowing, and it is historic because it is the 50th running of the race.”
The Head of the Charles Regatta will be held this weekend on Oct. 18 and 19.
