The University of Notre Dame rowing team competed in the 2021 Longhorn Invitational at Walter E. Long Lake in Austin, Texas, on Saturday morning. The regatta featured No. 2 Texas, No. 10 Alabama, No. 14 SMU and Division II top-ranked Central Oklahoma (Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/Pocock Top 25 rankings) while the Irish themselves are just outside the nation’s Top 25 teams as the second-most ‘also receiving votes’ program.
The event saw a series of schedule changes over the past 24 hours with the threat of higher winds in the afternoon, with the final adjustment challenging the teams to two races before the clock would strike 12 p.m. ET.
“We raced well through some tough conditions, especially in the late races,” head coach Martin Stone said.
“The Varsity Eight was good in the morning and the 2V has shown such improvement in the last two weeks. The 1V then ‘caught a crab’ in the final race and lost two seats, but they continued to show the Notre Dame Spirit by continuing to race.”
“I am proud of the team as they continue to push through the challenges of the last two weeks, including the travel and weather conditions. We have learned even more about ourselves and we need to adjust now and get ready for the ACCs.”
Among the highlights of the day for the Irish, the Varsity Eight finished second in its morning heat, ahead of Central Oklahoma and Tulsa. The Varsity Four posted a solid effort in the A Final, taking third place ahead of No. 14 SMU and the Second Varsity Eight earned a victory in the B Final over Tulsa and Oklahoma.
Next up for the Irish will be three weeks of training and preparations for the 2021 ACC Championship regatta in Clemson, South Carolina, May 14-15.
Varsity Eight
Adelaide Lammers, Marielle Corbett, Halena Hadi, Morgan Gantt, Meghan Greene, Victoria Gevaudan, Elizabeth May, Hanna Ferrero, Mary Ryan
Saturday Morning Heat:
- Texas – 6:10.433
- Notre Dame – 6:32.909
- Central Oklahoma – 6:33.118
- Tulsa – 6:35.023
A Final:
- Texas A – 6:10.430
- SMU – 6:21.751
- Alabama – 6:27.779
- Notre Dame – 7:50.021
Varsity Four
Chloe Hemm, Avery Ericksen, Lauren Hering, Keelin Klocke, Rosemary McGovern
Saturday Morning Heat:
- Texas – 7:05.173
- Notre Dame – 7:23.459
- Tulsa – 7:30.056
- Central Oklahoma – 7:42.576
A Final:
- Texas – 6:58.320
- Alabama – 7:11.315
- Notre Dame – 7:19.719
- SMU – 7:33.421
Second Varsity Eight
Annaliese Kehm, Lauren Kelly, Julia Finster, Elsa Bixby, Sara Clarin, Lindsay Falk, Caroline Hills, Taylor Robinson, Colleen Visinic
Saturday Morning Heat:
- Texas – 6:19.046
- Notre Dame – 6:40.836
- Tulsa – 7:10.532
B Final:
- Notre Dame – 6:38.617
- Tulsa – 6:50.059
- Oklahoma – 6:56.570
Second Varsity Four
Mariah Parsons, Isabelle Keren, Katharine Johnson, Erin Maron, Emily Huber
Saturday Morning Heat:
- Texas A – 7:24.458
- Notre Dame – 7:41.986
- Tulsa – 7:51.990
A Final:
- Texas A – 7:09.160
- Texas B – 7:10.220
- Alabama – 7:30.398
- Notre Dame – 7:33.140
Third Varsity Eight
Aidan McIntyre, Maya Schofield, Sydney Cripps, Olivia Dolan, Eleanor Walsh, Brenna Halligan, Elaine Griffin, Lena King, Katie Greed
Saturday Morning Heat:
- Texas – 6:48.747
- Notre Dame – 6:54.487
- Central Oklahoma – 7:39.616
A Final:
- Texas – 6:38.373
- SMU – 6:44.528
- Alabama – 6:44.856
- Notre Dame – 6:56.816