OU Starts Strong at Clemson Invite

April 16, 2016 | Rowing

By: Micah Thompson

NORMAN – The University of Oklahoma rowing team completed day one of the Clemson Invitational. The regatta is being held at Lake Hartwell in Clemson, S.C.

Five Sooners boats competed in two races each, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, on Saturday. In the morning session, OU faced No. 4 Ohio State, No. 20 Louisville, Columbia, Michigan State, Tennessee and UCLA for four races, while the third varsity eight raced No. 4 Ohio State, No. 14 Washington State, No. 19 Syracuse, Clemson and Indiana.

The opening session began with the OU first varsity eight placing sixth in its division, coming across the line in 7:03.0. The second varsity eight came in seventh in 7:18.8, with Columbia just edging the Sooners by .6 seconds.

The Oklahoma first varsity four finished third in its heat with a 7:55.8, including defeating No. 20 Louisville. The 2V4 followed, also registering a third-place finish, crossing the line in 7:59.6. OU's third varsity eight came in fifth place at 5:18.2.

The Sooners matched up with No. 10 Michigan, No. 14 Washington State, Columbia, Oregon State, Tennessee and UCF in the 1V8, 2V8 and 1V4 races on Saturday afternoon, while the 2V4 faced Columbia, Michigan, Tennesee and UCF. The 3V8 raced the Clemson 4V8, Louisville, Michigan, Ohio State, Syracuse and No. 8 Texas.

OU's third varsity eight came in sixth place with a 7:17.1. The 2V4 recorded a second-place finish, crossing the line in 7:36.4.

The first varsity four had a stellar afternoon performance, recording second place, including finishing ahead of No. 14 Washington State, with a 7:28.7. The boat was just six seconds behind first-place and No. 10-ranked Michigan.

The OU 2V8 finished in third at 6:46.8, while the first varsity eight came in fourth place at 6:43.7.

"I was happy to see the team come out ready to race in the afternoon session," OU head coach Leeanne Crain said. "We stumbled a little in a couple of the events during the morning session but responded well to some changes in lineups that resulted in better performances across the board."

The Sooners return for the second day of the Clemson Invitational at 7:30 a.m. CT on Sunday. Live results can be found on ClemsonTigers.com or on the @OU_Rowing Twitter feed and a free livestream is available on Tigercast.

FULL RESULTS
Morning Session
1V8
1. Ohio State (6:37.5)
2. UCLA (6:48.2)
3. Louisville (6:51.5)
4. Michigan State (6:52.6)
5. Columbia (7:01.0)
6. Oklahoma (7:03.0)
7. Tennessee (7:07.0)

2V8
1. Ohio State (6:52.1)
2. Louisville (7:00.8)
3. UCLA (7:03.4)
4. Tennessee (7:12.8)
5. Michigan State (7:15.9)
6. Columbia (7:18.2)
7. Oklahoma (7:18.8)

1V4
1. Ohio State (7:50.2)
2. UCLA (7:51.9)
3. Oklahoma (7:55.8)
4. Louisville (7:57.1)
5. Tennessee (8:00.1)
6. Columbia (8:14.1)
7. Michigan State (8:36.3)

2V4
1. Louisville (7:43.4)
2. Ohio State (7:45.2)
3. Oklahoma (7:59.6)
4. UCLA (8:06.2)
5. Columbia (8:25.9)
6. Tennessee (8:41.4)

3V8
1. Washington State (5:10.2)
2. Syracuse (5:11.5)
3. Clemson (5:11.8)
4. Ohio State (5:16.8)
5. Oklahoma (5:18.2)
6. Indiana (5:28.2)

Afternoon Session
1V8
1. Michigan (6:28.8)
2. Washington State (6:33.4)
3. Oregon State (6:41.1)
4. Oklahoma (6:43.7)
5. UCF (6:44.5)
6. Columbia (6:46.4)
7. Tennessee (6:50.1)

2V8
1. Michigan (6:31.6)
2. Washington State (6:36.8)
3. Oklahoma (6:46.8)
4. Tennessee (6:48.0)
5. Columbia (6:49.3)
6. Oregon State (6:51.9)
7. UCF (7:02.7)

1V4
1. Michigan (7:22.0)
2. Oklahoma (7:28.7)
3. Washington State (7:30.0)
4. Tennessee (7:35.5)
5. Columbia (7:38.3)
6. Oregon State (7:48.3)
7. UCF (7:49.3)

2V4
1. Michigan (7:25.1)
2. Oklahoma (7:36.4)
3. Columbia (7:52.9)
4. UCF (7:57.8)
5. Tennessee (8:00.1)

3V8
1. Texas (6:51.3)
2. Louisville (6:56.8)
3. Syracuse (7:00.0)
4. Michigan (7:07.6)
5. Ohio State (7:12.6)
6. Oklahoma (7:17.1)
7. Clemson (7:23.1)

OU MORNING LINEUPS
Varsity 8
C: Emily Coffman
S: Marissa Beene
7: Kalie Heffernan
6: Elena Sloan
5: Taylor Spencer
4: Miranda Rauner
3: Madeleine Lange
2: Reagan Collins
B: Melissa Patten