Head of the Rock Fall 2017

This past weekend we kicked off the fall racing season in Rockford at the Head of the Rock River. Most athletes raced in more than one event and for the novices, this was the longest period of all-eight rowing so far.Raymond Pu and Michael Coumans set the tone for the day by placing fifth in a competitive Mens Varisty 2-, placing just behind two Notre Dame boats and two Minnesota boats. The two Men’s Varsity 4+ boats finished about a minute and a half behind the first place boat and overall had a strong row, staying strong through the finish. The Men’s Varsity 8+ placed just behind Notre Dame, keeping their split down and going faster for each length of the course.The varsity women did especially well in small boats. Jo Hannah Sage and Lindsey Cusack took third and Alyse Bondarowitcz and Heidi Pierce received fourth in the Women’s Open 2x. Racing bow four and stern four in the Women’s Varsity 4+, stern four won by about 30 seconds. Finally, the Women’s Varsity 8+ ended the day on a high note, finishing their 4.5K in 19:33.The Novice teams both rowed strong in Rockford, especially for this being their longest time rowing by eights. They powered through the race and finished strong, leaving everything they had out on the water. The Women’s Collegiate Novice 8+ finished 9th out of 15 boats, finishing at 25:12. The Women’s Open 8+ finished at 22:14 and the Men’s Open Novice 8+ finished at 21:16, both powering through to the very end.Great job to all boats thank you so much to everyone who came to Rockford to cheer on the team!