Rockford, Ill. - The Wisconsin women's lightweight and openweight rowing teams won six titles including both eight races at the Head of the Rock regatta on the Rock River, Sunday.
With temperatures in the upper 40s, and in windy, but sunny conditions, six Badger boats won titles. Wisconsin's openweight eight claimed victory over Big Ten-rival Iowa. The Badgers stroked to a 15:46, while the Hawkeyes finished in 15:55. In the lightweight eight, Wisconsin boats finished first and second. The top Badger boat won in 16:50, while the UW's second boat crossed the line in 17:33.
Other Badger titles included the novice open eight, the novice women's single, the women's double and the women's open single. In the novice open eight, the Badgers' time of 17:02 beat out Minnesota's time of 17:16. UW boats also finished third and fifth in the race.
Lightweight coxswain Tessa Molter took her turn rowing and won the novice women's single over a boat from the Quad Cities Rowing Club. Badger boats took the top two spots in the women's double with the pair of Ashley Mays and Christina Strasser winning in 19:08. Jeannette Moore and Maura McHugh paired for a second-place finish.
Finally, UW assistant rowing coach Mitz Carr won the women's open single in 19:18, beating two Badger student entries, among others.
"We had a lot of fun together as a team," head openweight and lightweight coach Maren LaLiberty said. "With everybody rowing two to three races, we not only got a lot of race experience, but we also got a great workout."
Wisconsin next travels to Boston and the United States' largest regatta, the Head of the Charles. The UW lightweight eight is the two-time defending champions of the Oct. 20 regatta.
"We had just an excellent day as a team," LaLiberty added. "We're learning to go to regattas together with a large group and we're learning how to go faster. We are now looking forward to the Head of the Charles in Boston next week.
Head of the Rock Open Eight 1. Wisconsin A, 15:46; 2. Iowa, 15:55 UW Boating - Coxswain Andrea Hayden, Elpi Pagitsas, Marianna Waters, Alissa Adler, Aliza Richman, Annie Trimberger, Leah Gordon, Alissa Miller, Nicki Weir
Lightweight Eight 1. Wisconsin A, 16:50; 2. Wisconsin B, 17:33 UW Boating - Coxswain Tessa Molter, Katie Sweet, Eva Payne, Megan DeLonge, Ali Endress, Jessica Lee, Lindsey Rongstad, Jessica Neuville, Diane Martins
Novice Open Eight 1. Wisconsin A, 17:02; 2. Minnesota, 17:16; 3. Wisconsin B; 17:30; 5. Wisconsin C, 18:17.
Novice Women's Single 1. Tessa Molter, 23:04; 2. Quad Cities, 23:09
Women's Double 1. Wisconsin A, 19:08; 2. Wisconsin B, N/A Wisconsin A Boating - Ashley Mays, Christina Strasser Wisconsin B Boating - Jeannette Moore, Maura McHugh
Women's Open Single 1. Mitz Carr (Assistant Coach), 19:18