Oct. 9, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY - The SMU rowing team finished up their first race of the season today at the Head of the Oklahoma.

Leading the Mustangs was the Novice 8+ boat coming in first place with a time of 15:00:646. Coxswain Maggie Jones lead stroke Emily McCombs, Courtaney Miller, Megan May, Colleen Costello, Laura Kade, McKenzie Redman, Samantha Peltier and bow Ashley Koontz to victory. Their closest competitor, Kansas State, was 14 seconds behind.

In the collegiate race, the Varsity 8+ A boat, lead by coxswain Ali Smith, stroke Claira McElroy, Lauren Hadaway, Hannah Hansing, Emily Carstens, Halley Learned, Courtaney Miller, Meredith Walter and bow McKenzie Redman, held strong finishing in 14th with a posted time of 15:14:212, just missing Tulsa B by 4 seconds. Following not too far behind, the Varsity 8+ B boat came in 17th place with a time of 15:21:262. The B boat was lead by coxswain Maggie Jones, stroke Haley King, Colleen Costello, Megan May, Esther Kolkman, Hilary Fingeret, Devin Regan, Emily McCombs and bow Ashley Koontz.

The Varsity 4+ boat came in 16th place with a time of 16:26:931. Coxswain Ali Smith lead stroke Claira McElroy, Emily Carstens, Hannah Hansing and bow Lauren Doucet.

"We lost about 15 seconds in the Varsity 8+ from a crab," Head Coach Doug Wright said. "We'll be able to make up that time in time for the Head of the Colorado in three weeks."

The next regatta will take place in Austin, Texas at the Head of the Colorado on October 30, 2010.