PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (SMU) - Led by the first varsity four securing the program's first gold medal at the American Conference Championship as well as the first varsity eight's best ever finish, SMU rowed to a program-best fourth-place finish under first year head coach Kim Cupini at the conference championship on Saturday morning.
SMU's first varsity four boat consisting of coxswain Sarah Fitchett and rowers Caroline Snyder, Trevor Rose, Peyton Jewell, and Emily MacAdam claimed SMU's first American Conference gold medal with a time of 8:20.1, finishing a comfortable six seconds ahead of second place UCF.
The Mustang first varsity eight's bronze finish also was the best finish in conference championship history for SMU in the event (7:05.64). The Mustangs were narrowly edged out of a runner-up finish in the race, finishing just three seconds behind Tulsa.
SMU combined for 144 points on Saturday for fourth-place finish, the best finish for the program at the American Conference Championship. SMU finished just four points behind Temple despite not fielding a third varsity eight boat like the Owls. UCF claimed the conference title for the fourth consecutive season with 209 points.
"Big thanks to the AAC conference along with our fellow competitors for a great day of racing at the championship and congrats to UCF on the NCAA bid," Cupini said. "Our staff was proud of the team finishing in the top three in two of the three NCAA events. All the conference boats today had their best program finishes ever, and taking home the win in the varsity four showed that we can build the depth of the program. Our team's improvements this year are a strong first step for SMU as we fight for an NCAA bid in coming seasons."
Three Mustangs were named to the All-American Conference team, the most in one season for SMU since the conference was founded. Senior Alyssa Sands was named to the first team while junior Emily Fogg and Lauren Vanek each were second-team selections.
Team Standings:
1. UCF - 209
2. Tulsa - 160
3. Temple - 148
4. SMU - 144
5. Sacramento State - 116
6. San Diego State - 95
7. UConn - 67
Varsity Four
Cox: Fitchett | Rowers: Snyder, Rose, Jewel, MacAdam
1. SMU, 8:20.1; 2. UCF, 8:26.74; 3. Temple, 8:28.27; 4. Tulsa, 8:31.42; 5. Sacramento State, 8:35.97; 6. UConn, 8:36.30; 7. San Diego State, 8:57.95.
Varsity Eight
Cox: Emily Fogg | Rowers: Traylor, van Meel, Sands, Pierce, Courteau, Vanek, Rigg, Moore
1. UCF, 6:59.60; 2. Tulsa, 7:02.33; 3. SMU, 7:05.64; 4. Temple, 7:08.66; 5. San Diego State, 7:08.67; 6. Sacramento State, 7:15.79; 7. UConn, 7:28.65.
Second Varsity Eight
Cox: Chambers | Rowers: Smith, Bentley, Scott, Helmick-Schwarzmiller, Peterson, Greene, Olumese, Burckhardt
1. UCF, 7:18.20; 2. Sacramento State, 7:21.80; 3. Temple, 7:29.12; 4. Tulsa, 7:35.46; 5. SMU, 7:36.79; 6. San Diego State, 7:39.45; 7. UConn, 7:41.43.
Third Varsity Eight
1. UConn, 7:46.00, 2. UCF, 8:07.30; 3. Temple, 8:09.00.
Second Varsity Four
Cox: O'Toole | Rowers: Farmen, Papesch, Hamilton, Thibeau
1. Tulsa, 8:31.70, 2. UCF, 8:35.33; 3. Temple, 8:38.07; 4. San Diego State, 8:38.66; 5. Sacramento State, 8:40.78; 6. SMU, 8:44.40; 7. UConn, 8:59.10
Third Varsity Four
3V4+ - Cox: Miller | Rowers: Daniels, Polley, Lei, Knight
1. San Diego State, 8:43.32; 2. UCF, 8:48.11; 3. Tulsa, 8:57.56; 4. UConn, 9:01.97; 5. Temple, 9:09.64; 6. SMU, 9:13.67; 7. Sacramento State, 9:14.43.
