Courtesy Mark Wilson
On a nearly perfect Thursday evening the Hatter Varsity 8+ of Stroke Emmie Wenzell, Abby Thompson, Deana Sobilo, Jesse Albert, Margie Ellison, Gabriella Hutcheson, Courtney Converse, Alicja Duda and Coxswain Katie Shilling made the drive to Jacksonville to race Drake University and JU.
The Hatters were invited by Jacksonville to race with Drake University from Iowa and as all teams are in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference this was an important meeting for all teams to showcase the teams speed early in the season. The afternoon was perfect with a flowing tide, light tailwind and slightly overcast with the sun breaking out for the final race of the day. The schedule provided all boats the chance to race two 2000m races and with the fast conditions made for fun and good racing. The Dolphins of Jacksonville as the defending conference champs were the team to beat and certainly proved their speed in winning the first race in a time of 5:50.7, Drake finished second in 6:09.3 and after a very strong 1000m the Hatters trailed the field and finished third in a time of 6:23.0. "I really was happy with the way the women jumped out to a strong position in the first 1000m of the race, shared Coach Mark Wilson, but we obviously need to continue to work on the aerobic fitness to remain strong for the second 1000m of the race." In the second event the Hatters got a better rhythm going and raced stronger and with more flow but again allowed the Bulldogs from Drake to slip by in the final 700m of the race and again finished third. Times for the second race proved the feeling of the Hatters as they rowed a more consistent race and made up time on the field, finishing in 6:25.2 with JU winning in 6:06.6 and Drake in third in 6:17.9. "I was much happier with the second race and so were the girls in the boat, we have work to do and we will make a faster more comfortable lineup for the future." explains Coach Wilson.
All the Hatter Women will be racing Tufts Women on Saturday morning at Lake Beresford. The racing will begin at 8am with a scheduled conclusion at 10:30am. Please consider coming to the Stetson Aquatic Center for some exciting racing. Saturday will conclude the Stetson Spring Sprint Series.
