Iowa rowing team produces competitive and strong results at Head of the Oklahoma
Iowa’s rowing team posted a competitive and strong weekend on all levels at the Head of the Oklahoma — in the night sprints, 8s, 4s, and pairs.
The Hawkeyes faced competition from different regions of the country. Competing against the likes of Oklahoma, Texas, Washington State, Stanford, Tulsa, and Kansas State was difficult, but coaches and players were happy with the results.
One of the most challenging parts of the weekend came from competing in the 500-meter night sprint, something Iowa had never done before. The Hawkeyes qualified two boats for the final sprint under the lights Oct. 9.
“The nighttime sprints were exciting,” head coach Mandi Kowal said. “I am glad the groups were able to take part in this unique experience.”
Coxswain Emily Melvold, along with rowers Anne Marie Bernhard, Katy Kroll, Cristina Pozzan, Allison Robinson, Allison Lofthouse, Erin Sodawasser, Louise Bensz, and Haylie Miller placed fifth in the qualifier. The top 12 of the 23 teams moved on to the night finale on Saturday in the varsity 8s. In the closing race, the Iowa boat took fourth place with a time of 1.37.5.
A second Iowa boat of varsity 8s was unable to qualify in the head race for the night sprint finale, but there was also a qualification race for the night sprints at the varsity 4s level. The Iowa varsity four of coxswain Kendra Klaczak, Darcy DeLong, Chloe Zwiacher, Susie Stralina and Anna Herdlein placed 13th in the night sprint qualifier. They were able to race in the petite finale night sprints because of teams who dropped out, as well.
The night sprints proved to be a positive experience for the rowers and coaches.
“You just blink, and it’s over,” senior rower Miller said. “All the coxswains were screaming, but all I could hear is water splashing and the oars moving — it was crazy.”
Kroll said she did not even remember the short piece because of her adrenaline rush the whole time.
“I’ve never been able to race under the lights,” eh said. “All eyes are on you, at the center of the stage — it was such a cool feeling.”
Against a total of 14 crews, senior rower Haylie Miller and sophomore rower Bensz placed second by only 16 seconds to Washington State with a time of 17.09 in the pairs race. The Iowa pair of sophomore Pozzan and senior Robinson took third place, and a third Iowa boat composed of sophomore Kroll and freshman Bernhard came in sixth.
Kroll and Bernhard experienced some minor steering issues at the beginning of their pairs race, but were most frustrated with an opponent who did not yield to their passing. Assistant coach Carrie Callen said from the shore it was difficult for the coaches to see what was happening, but saw that Kroll and Bernhard had a nice push on the straight away after the mishap.
Kroll said she thought they would have placed higher than sixth if they had not been initially cut off.
“I was most pleased with how each group took lessons learned from earlier sessions and applied them to their second race, most notably our pairs,” Kowal said. “After such a long Saturday, they came out and rowed very aggressively.”
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