April 21, 2007

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (SMU) - The SMU rowing team competed in the first day of competition today in the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championship (SIRA) on Melton Lake in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The Mustang crews raced three boats and will race all three again in the finals tomorrow.

The women's varsity four competed in the fourth of five heats and clocked a first-place finish over Georgia Tech, Texas, Kansas St. and W. Wilson. The Mustangs crossed the finish line with a time of 7:55.3 as they were the only boat in their heat to break the eight minute mark and one of the few boats in the varsity four competition to slip under that mark. With that finish, the Mustangs will advance to the ABC semifinals tomorrow.

The varsity eight crew raced in the A semifinal against UCF, Cincinnati, Ohio St., Tulsa and Murray St. The Mustangs stopped the clock at 7:05.0 for fifth-place and will advance to the B final tomorrow.

The novice eight competition had five heats as the Mustangs raced in the fifth heat against UCF, Purdue, CSU, Tennessee and Murray St. The SMU crew placed sixth with a time of 8:00.4 and will advance to the B final tomorrow.