FELLSMERE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University captured its fourth Sunshine State Conference Rowing Championship in the last five years as it placed first at the 2011 championships. The event took place at the Canal 54 in Fellsmere. The Sharks won with a total of 20 points.
“The team set this SSC Championship as one of their major goals,” said head coach John Gartin. “They really put in the effort and focus all year long in preparing for this single race.”
The day began with a pair of 7:30 a.m., time trials, including the Varsity 8 and Varsity 4 events. In the Varsity 8, Nova Southeastern (7:03) finished ahead of Barry (7:13), Florida Tech (7:21), Rollins (7:34), Nova Southeastern Exhibition (7:39) and Tampa (7:43).
“The race was powerful in so many ways,” said team captain Claire Kurlychek (Jr., Land O’ Lakes, Fla.). “The strength was there and the message we sent to the conference was undeniable. The success of today is attributed to the hardwork that the entire team has put in everyday since August.”
Nova Southeastern also captured the Varsity 4 Time Trial, placing first with a showing of 7:48. The Sharks were followed by Florida Tech (8:05), Barry (8:11), Nova Southeastern Exhibition (8:22) and Rollins (8:28).
The Nova Southeastern Exhibition boat started off the competition with a 9:17.7 time in the Varsity 4+ petite race. Rollins followed after clocking a 10:11.4.
With points being rewarded in the finals of the varsity 4+, Nova Southeastern earned eight while winning the race in a time of 8:30.9 against a headwind. Barry (8:43.1) and Florida Tech (9:02.0) were the next boats to cross the finish line.
“The four looked great right from the start to the final,” said Gartin. “The speed in that boat continues to get better and better each practice and race to race.”
The Varsity 4 consisted of coxswain Marissa Stickles (Sr., Jacksonville, Fla.), Heather Higbee (So., Ocean View, N.J.), Elizabeth Hurley (Sr., Fort Mill, S.C), Sarah Patterson (So., Winter Park, Fla. ) and Kayla Wieseckel (Jr., Roswell, Ga.)
“The 4+ rowed a really strong race today in spite of a rough head wind. We started out in front and opened up the gap as the race went on. I’m extremely proud of my boatmates,” said Hurley, senior and team captain.
Tampa and Rollins each competed in the Varsity 8+ Petite with the Spartans claiming a first-place finish with a time of 8:31.9. The Tars posted a time of 8:42.5.
Nova Southeastern solidified its championship with a 7:37.9 time to win the Varsity 8+ final. Florida Tech (7:44.6) and Barry (7:48.6) also earned points for their finishes in the event.
“Our race was everything we had been waiting for,” said team captain Lauren Boudreau (So., Waterford, N.Y.). “We knew Barry and Florida Tech would be chasing us down but we were ready. We have a great team and we have set no limits this season. we’re going for it.”
The Varsity 8 consisted of Elizabeth Tortorici (Fr., Winter Park, Fla.), Alyssa O’Donnell (Jr., Ballston Spa, N.Y.), Boudreau, Jessica Sutter (Jr., Miami Beach, Fla.), Abigail Schiavo (Fr., Northfield, N.J.), Catherine Plesko (Fr., Brandon, Fla.), Kurlychek, Taylor Van Horn (Fr., Cape Coral, Fla.) and Mallorie Reinecke (Jr., Buffalo, N.Y.).
“The eight was solid off the line,” stated Gartin. “We were looking to attack hard and get a lead to take control and dictate the race. FIT made a great move at the 1000 to come through Barry, but we countered them in the last 500 to open back up to the open water at the finish. It was a very well executed and strong race by the V8.”
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