April 13, 2013

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU women's rowing team was unable to capture the Lawless Cup against Tulsa Saturday, falling to the Golden Hurricane's 1st Varsity 8+crew at White Rock Lake. The traveling trophy, which was on the line for the second season, remains in Tulsa's possession as the conference foe swept the Mustangs in four races.

The SMU 1V8+ posted the fastest time of the day for the Mustangs, finishing the 2k course with a time of 7:09.0. Tulsa, however, took advantage of nearly perfect weather conditions to score the fastest time recorded in collegiate competition at White Rock Lake this season, winning the cup with a 6:50.9.

"It was a great day for racing on White Rock today. Many thanks to fellow coaches and Mustang athletes for their support," head coach Doug Wright said after the race. "Unfortunately, we came up short against an aggressive Tulsa team. I don't think our first crew raced really well today. They had a great week of practice, but didn't quite have the spark we needed."

The closest race of the day was between the Novice 8+ crews. With the bow of the two boats nearly even well past the midpoint of the course, Tulsa inched ahead of the SMU crew to take the win by less than three seconds, 7:31.78 to 7:34.35.

The SMU 2nd Varsity 8+ recorded a 7:23.5, coming up seconds behind the Tulsa crew. The Mustangs bettered their time at the San Diego Crew Classic by more than five seconds. The Varsity 4+ finished the course with an 8:42.0, less than four seconds behind one of Tulsa's two 4+ crews.

"Our 2V and 4+ rowed well as they closed the gap," Wright explained. "We knew with the 2V having a lineup change, Tulsa would be tough, but those kids raced hard and did a good job. This was a great event and we look forward to that spirited rivalry continuing on."

The next competition for the Mustangs is scheduled for April 26-28 at the Miami Invitational in Miami, Fla.

1st Varsity 8+
Maggie Jones - Coxswain
Claira McElroy
Halley Learned
Miranda Zsigmond
Loni Albrecht
Lauren Moore
Chantelle Conley
Emily McCombs

2nd Varsity 8+
Stephanie Gentile - Coxswain
Alexandria Bauer
Columbia Herzlinger
Hanna Axene
Katie Sinnott
Alli Buchanan
Francesca Brogden
Rebekah Tate
Anna Auerbach

Varsity 4+
Nikole Metz - Coxswain
Christina Chase
Jonnie Parmer
Caitlin Hilberg
Alexandra Thibeaux

Novice 8+
Nikole Metz - Coxswain
Loni Albrecht
Miranda Zsigmond
Jonnie Parmer
Anna Auerbach
Rebekah Tate
Francesca Brogden
Alma Prieto
Christina Chase