Coming off a very successful weekend at the San Diego Crew Classic and winning Row2k.com’s Crew of the Week last week, the Alabama rowing team went into Saturday’s regatta with an undeniable confidence. The Crimson Tide played host to the University of Central Florida on the Black Warrior River on Saturday.
The Tide’s Second Varsity 8+ flew right past the Central Florida Golden Knights by several seconds, posting a time of 6:35.0. Unfortunately, the Tide’s other boats did not fare as well. The First Varsity 8+ as well as the First and Second Varsity 4+ finished just behind the Golden Knights.
The Fist Varsity 4+ clocked in with a time of 7:27.1, while the Second Varsity 4+ finished at 7:48.0. The First Varsity 8+ finished at 6:29.5. The young First and Second Novice 8+ boats finished at 6:56.4 and 7:26.5, respectively.
“The Second Varsity 8+ really put together a nice race,” said head coach Larry Davis. “They came out on fire and executed like they are capable of against tough competition. All our crews were a little fatigued from all the travel associated with our trip to California, but I think the Second Varsity 8+ managed it very well from a mental standpoint today and powered through.”
Aside from hosting Central Florida, the Tide honored its seniors and helped raise breast cancer awareness. The Tide wore pink to show its support for breast cancer research in its second annual Power of Pink event.
The lone home regatta of the season also served as Alabama’s senior day, where the Tide said farewell to all of its seniors. Coaches, rowers and fans honored Jessica Allaway, Daniella Barone, Amelia Houghton, Alissa Kranz, Lauren Miller, Laura Skaggs and Leigh Erin Waddell.
“It is always bittersweet during this time of year,” Davis said. “I hate seeing the seniors go, but we need seniors to build leadership qualities [in the younger girls]. The seniors help build the program.”
In addition to her farewell, Houghton passed along the “Row Tide” necklace. The necklace is a new tradition for the rowing team. It gets exchanged between the rowers at every meet.
“This week’s letter means warrior,” Houghton said. “A warrior to me is someone who is always ready to fight and always pushes through. A warrior takes everything in stride.”
Houghton passed the necklace on to junior Erika Baranek after the meet on Saturday. The Tide will head to Oak Ridge, Tenn., next weekend to compete at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.
