Women's Crews Row Well At Henley
June 23, 1999 | Women's Rowing
The Terrier women's crew closed out its season with a successful showing at the Henley Women's Regatta, as the varsity heavyweight turned in the second fastest time of the entire regatta and the varsity four advanced to the semifinals before it was eliminated by a crew that finished second in its class.
"I was extremely pleased with how we rowed," said head coach Holly Hatton, who had coxed a women's heavyweight four to a Gold Medal at the Henley Royal Regatta 18 years ago.
The following year, Boston University had a heavyweight four entered at the Royal Regatta, and the Terriers won the gold medal.
This marked the first time in the past 17 years that a B.U. women's boat rowed on the historic Thames River, and the Terriers fared very well.
"It was excellent exposure for Boston University," continued Hatton, who was named the 1998-99 New England Region Coach of the Year by the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association. "We received many compliments on the crew's technical skill and gutsy racing."
The heavyweight boat was eliminated by the Tidcway Scullers, a crew from the United Kingdom that will be racing for the national team designation within the next couple of weeks.
Not only did the Terriers have a smaller lineup than their opponents did, B.U. also had a new member in the boat.
Jelena Tomic, a freshman from Belgrade, Yugoslavia, had been in the varsity boat for the entire spring season. However, she remained back in Boston for summer school. In her place was sophomore Amanda Piola, who had rowed for the second varsity during the spring. Fortunately, Amanda had rowed with the varsity during the practice sessions leading to the Henley trip, and the workouts paid off.
"I was very pleased with how the varsity rowed," said Hatton.
The Regatta ended on a positive note when the race committee allowed the Terriers to row against the University of Wisconsin, the other Division 1 women's crew that had been entered in the Regatta. In the match race, B.U. defeated the Badgers by three-quarters of a length.
It was a fitting way for the Terriers to conclude their season, as it showed just how far the women had come this year. Last fall, at the Head of the Charles, B.U. had finished 23rd. Then, last spring, in the first poll of the nation's women's crew coaches, the Terriers were ranked 16th. Despite winning just two of six regattas during the season, Hatton could see steady improvement in her boat's performances. It was culminated by a sixth-place finish at the Eastern Sprints and an eighth-place finish at the NCAAs.
Finally, there was the showing at Henley and the win over Wisconsin.
The varsity four also did an outstanding job.
In its first race, the women defeated Broxbourne by three-quarters of a length.
Unfortunately, in the second round, the Terriers drew the crew that went on to finish second.
"The crew had two great races," said Hatton. "Their performances were especially outstanding since we put this lineup together just a week before we left Boston for England. It was also a young boat with three freshmen, a sophomore, and a junior.
"Rowing at Henley is a unique experience," said Hatton. "I am sure it is one that our rowers will never forget."
Terrier Boatings That Rowed At Henley Women's Regatta
Varsity Heavyweight
Seat Name Class Hometown Cox Jenn Josef Senior Buffalo, NY Str Fiola Foley Sophomore County Kerry, Ireland 7 Colleen Madden Junior Brighton, MA 6 Amanda Piola Sophomore West Chester, PA 5 Lisa Waterhouse Junior Amesbury, MA 4 Caren Parker Senior Hanover, NH 3 Carson Converse Junior Shelburne, MA 2 Lisa Masi Sophomore Goshen, CT Bow Kerry Ash Senior Liverpool, NY
Varsity Four
Seat Name Class Hometown Cox Monya Hudsick Freshman Portland, OR Str Alexis Brady Sophomore Philadelphia, PA 3 Hilary Hegener Freshman Poughkeepsie, NY 2 Jessica Johnson Junior Ithaca, NY Bow Jennifer Shea Freshman Cincinnati, OH
