Varsity Women's Rowers Finish Second in Petite Finals at Sprints

Sunday, May 13

Camden, N.J. (Cooper River)

8 a.m.

Columbia

EAWRC Sprints

Varsity Women's Rowers Finish Second in Petite Finals at Sprints

5/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rowing

By: Columbia University Athletics

CAMDEN, N.J. ? Polls come and polls go, but not in the world of college rowing. When college rowing coaches vote in the official weekly polls, they carefully consider ALL the results. In fact, the final coaches' ranking each spring becomes the seeding for the Eastern Sprints, an exercise of considerable import.

So when the coaches of the Eastern Association of Women's Rowing Colleges (EAWRC) filled out their ballots in early May, they took their time ? and ranked the Columbia varsity eight 11th. That meant that the Lions were expected to make the Petite Final (7-12), but not do very much.

But coach Melanie Onufrieff had a surprise for her fellow EAWRC coaches. Two surprises, actually.

The first was when Columbia finished third of five in its opening heat, narrowly missing second place, which would have given it a place in the Grand Final. The second was when Columbia nearly won the Petite Final, rowing the 2000-meter Cooper River course in 6:54.288, just 3.5 seconds behind Penn's 6:50.525.

When a crew finishes better than it has been seeded, it is said to "beat its seed". Columbia not only beat it, the Lions trampled it, finishing eighth, three spots better than the 11th seed.

Columbia's other three boats all competed in Third Level Finals. The novice eight did best, finishing second of four in the Third Level, behind only Dartmouth.

The EAWRC Sprints concluded Columbia's season.

EAWRC Sprints
May 13, 2007
Cooper River
Camden County, N.J.

Varsity Eight: 2nd of 6 in Petite Final
Second Varsity Eight: 3rd of 3 in Third Level Final
Novice Eight: 2nd of 4 in Third Level Final
Third Varsity Four: 3rd of 4 in Third Level Final