Rowing: Takes Varsity Four Events

By Julie Brown for WVUsports.com
April 21, 2012 06:19 PM

The varsity eight crew during one of its races against Dayton.

All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks Photo

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. – The West Virginia University rowing team concluded its home competition against Dayton, today, on the Monongahela River in Star City, with the varsity four crew winning both of its races.

"The fours appear to be building upon their performances from last week's racing,” says coach Jimmy King. “The varsity four rowed with the poise and consistency it showed in last week's final, and the second varsity four looked sharper today."

Saturday’s races took place in a 1,500-meter format instead of the 2,000-meter format typically used at spring events, and official margins and times were not recorded.

Line-up changes were also made by both West Virginia and Dayton throughout the course of racing.

"We made some changes in all of our line-ups this week, and today's scrimmage provided us the opportunity to evaluate those changes,” King says. “While we saw progress in some areas, we took some steps back in others."

The varsity eight crews and second varsity eight crews were run in one flight, with Dayton’s varsity eight winning both of those races.

"Dayton got the better of us in the eights today while we held the edge in the fours,” King says. “Although we changed the line-up just yesterday, we all expected more of ourselves today. As I told the crew at the conclusion of the scrimmage, we may take a step back before we take a couple of steps forward, but we will indeed gain speed through the remainder of the season."

The Mountaineers return to action on Saturday, April 28, when they travel to Indianapolis to race against Iowa, Notre Dame, Rutgers and Syracuse.

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