Jayhawk Rowers Tally Top-10 Finishes at The Head of the Hooch
Nov. 3, 2012
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The KU rowing team completed a successful first day at The Head of the Hooch regatta as the Jayhawks posted a top-10 finish in each of the three events they competed in. The Head of the Hooch is the second largest regatta in the country with over 1,600 total boats competing.
In the Varsity Eight competition, KU’s top finisher came in ninth in the 5,000-meter race. Five weeks ago at the Head of the Oklahoma, KU finished 30 seconds behind Big 12 power Texas. On Saturday, the top KU boat was only 22 seconds behind the Longhorns in a race that was 1,000 meters longer. Rowing in the boat for KU were seniors Olivia Kinet, Katy Evans, Danielle Adam, juniors Alex Torquemada, Elizabeth Scherer, Caity Decker, sophomore Laura Benz, and freshman Maggie Duncan. The coxswain on the boat was senior Olivia Catloth. Meanwhile, KU’s Second Varsity Eight finished 19th.
“We had improved finishes from last year in all of the events. Some of the best results we have had,” KU head coach Rob Catloth said. “We improved our boat speed and we are racing with more skill and maturity.”
KU’s best performance of the day came in the Novice Eight as KU placed fourth and 11th in an event that had over 50 boats competing. KU’s top boat was only 18 seconds behind Texas. Rowing for KU were junior Emily Scheck, freshmen Jackie Adamle, Morgan Thomsen, Kelsey Dick, Brittany Simek, Clarissa Holt-Bates, Genevieve Humphrey, and Lauren Miller. The coxswain was freshman Mary Slattery.
“We were fifth last year in the novice and that set the tone for those guys having a good year,” Catloth said. “This is our third recruiting class with the new boathouse and we are getting a better group of walk-ons as well. We are getting better recruits and better walk-ons.”
The final event of the day for KU was the Varsity Four. KU finished ninth and 11th in the event. On KU’s top boat were junior Emma Umbarger, sophomores Allie Griffin, Brooke Thuston, Alexa Fowlkes and the coxswain was sophomore Sarah Lasini.
“The best thing is we are improved from last year in all the races and time wise we are much tighter to the top,” Catloth said.
The Head of the Hooch concludes on Sunday with the Jayhawks racing four boats in the Women’s Open Eight and two boats in the Women’s Open Quad.
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