KU Dominates the Fours at Knecht Cup
April 14, 2013
Cherry Hill, N.J.—For the second year in a row, Kansas is bringing home the gold medal from the Knecht Cup in both the Second Varsity Four and First Varsity Four as winners of the Grand Final in each event. This is the third-consecutive year that KU has won a gold medal at the event. The Knecht Cup featured over 60 schools in this year’s regatta.
The Second Varsity Four “A” completed their sweep of racing this weekend by winning the Grand Final in 7:52.22. Rowing for KU in the championship boat were senior Emily Starr, junior Carley Iverson, sophomores Andrea Joyce and Angie Flores and coxswain sophomore Sarah Lasini. The Second Varsity Four “B” finished third in the Grand Final.
“We expected to do really well in the Fours,” said KU head coach Rob Catloth. “We use this event as a good measuring stick as to how our season is going. It’s a good mid-season measuring stick as to how we are doing and where the team is at.”
The Jayhawk First Varsity Four also won all three races the squad competed in this weekend. KU won the Grand Final in a time of 7:44.59. In 2012, KU beat 27 teams for the First Varsity Four title. This year there were 35 other boats competing in the event. Rowing for KU were senior Eileen Gallagher, juniors Emma Umbarger, Jessica Miller and Kaylee Sextro and coxswain senior Katy MacCormack.
“This weekend was a good opportunity for us to improve every race and learn from previous races,” said Gallagher. “The final was our best race and so we just need to focus on learning from every race and every practice as we look forward to conference championships.”
The KU First Varsity Four has won five out of their last six races. Last year, the boat went undefeated after the Knecht Cup and went on to win the Big 12 and Conference USA Championships.
“Hopefully we can continue that tradition,” added Gallagher. “What we talk about before every race is keeping our heads in our race and focus on each other and rowing together.”
The Kansas Second Varsity Eight had won six consecutive races heading into the Grand Final, but fell by .82 of a second.
“It was a really hard fought race with Northeastern and they took the lead with about five strokes left,” said Catloth.
The First Varsity Eight finished sixth in the Petite Final, which matches the boats that qualified in spots 7-12 on Saturday. The finish marks an improvement of 20 places over last year at the Knecht Cup. KU also rowed in the Petite Final in the Novice Eight where the Jayhawks finished in fourth place.
“We are trying to build a strong team as we qualify for NCAA’s as a team,” said Catloth. “We are building depth and that’s where the strength of the team is right now.”
KU has one final regatta before Big 12 Championships. The team travels to Lake Natoma, Calif., for the Lake Natoma Invite next weekend. The Big 12 Championships are May 4 in Kansas City.
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Kansas Boatings
Novice Eight
Coxswain Mary Slattery
Jackie Adamle
Emily Scheck
Jessie Jacob
Clarissa Holt Bates
Kelsey Dick
Lauren Miller
Tess Scott
Stephanie Walker
Second Varsity Four B
Coxswain Abbey Lozenski
Allie Griffin
Meghan Cahill
Ashlyn Midyett
Kelsie Fiss
Second Varsity Four A
Coxswain Sarah Lasini
Andrea Joyce
Angie Flores
Emily Starr
Carley Iverson
Varsity Four
Coxswain Katy MacCormack
Eileen Gallagher
Emma Umbarger
Jessica Miller
Kaylee Sextro
Second Varsity Eight
Coxswain Caty Clements
Julia Alvey
Cheyenne Verdoorn
Claudi Lever
Erin Brogan
Jennifer Hartzler
Amanda Lewis
Danielle Adam
Jade Lambkins
Varsity Eight
Coxswain Olivia Catloth
Caity Decker
Olivia Kinet
Alex Torquemada
Liz Scherer
Maggie Duncan
Brooke Thuston
Katy Evans
Laura Benz
