No. 12 Virginia Dominates at the Pocock Lake Wheeler Invitational Cup
RALEIGH, N.C. – The excitement was palpable as No. 12 Virginia showcased exceptional talent at the Pocock Lake Wheeler Invitational Cup, clinching victory with impressive performances on Saturday, April 26. This two-day event saw Virginia’s rowing teams shine, ultimately proving their dominance on the water.
A Weekend of Stellar Performances
In a thrilling display of skill and teamwork, the Cavaliers achieved four out of five race victories on Saturday, securing wins in the Third Varsity Eight, Varsity Four, Second Varsity Eight, and Varsity Eight. This strong performance followed a remarkable showing on Friday, where they triumphed in seven of ten races, culminating in a total of 11 wins out of 15 races over the weekend.
Saturday’s Victories Against Duke
The Cavaliers faced off against fierce competition, particularly from runners-up Duke. Here are the key results of the day:
- Third Varsity Eight: Virginia pulled ahead with a time of 6:51.852, outpacing Duke’s 6:53.221.
- Varsity Four: UVA continued their momentum, clocking in at 7:20.019, while Duke followed at 7:25.307.
- Second Varsity Eight: Another Virginia victory, finishing at 6:30.957 against Duke’s 6:33.423.
- Varsity Eight: The highlight of the day was the Varsity Eight’s impressive performance, finishing at 6:18.619, well ahead of Duke’s 6:27.131.
This stellar showing allowed Virginia to accumulate 94 total points, securing the invitational ahead of Duke’s 82 points and Columbia’s 73 points.
Coach’s Reflections on the Team’s Triumph
Virginia’s head coach, Wesley Ng, expressed immense pride in his team’s collective effort. “Earning the Pocock Lake Wheeler Invitational Cup required gutsy performances at every level of our program,” he stated. Ng highlighted the resilience of the Second Varsity, who overcame significant challenges during their race, ultimately rallying in the last 900 meters for a spectacular come-from-behind victory.
“We have three weeks to prepare for the ACC Championship,” Ng reminded the team. “It’s time to get to work!”
Looking Ahead
Virginia will return to Lake Wheeler for the ACC Championships taking place on May 16-17. After finishing second last year behind Syracuse, they will aim to reclaim their title, having won 22 of the last 24 ACC championships overall.
Detailed Race Results
Saturday Results:
3V8:
- Virginia – 6:51.852
- Duke – 6:53.221
- Miami – 7:02.752
V4:
- Virginia – 7:20.019
- Duke – 7:25.307
- Gonzaga – 7:29.477
2V8:
- Virginia – 6:30.957
- Duke – 6:33.423
- Boston – 6:41.961
- V8:
- Virginia – 6:18.619
- Duke – 6:27.131
- Boston – 6:28.481
Virginia’s Lineups
Varsity Eight:
- Coxswain: Chloe Lee
- Stroke: Kennedy Housley
- 7: Elsa Hartman
- 6: Flynn Greene
- 5: Sheila Joyce
- 4: Paige Loh
- 3: Jenna Hajji
- 2: Kate McGee
- Bow: Skylar Dahl
Second Varsity Eight:
- Coxswain: Brie Joe
- Stroke: Sophia Coppola
- 7: Sydney Fratamico
- 6: Paula Lutz
- 5: Claudia Kerry-Roger
- 4: Savannah Fox
- 3: Teagan Orth
- 2: Lila Henn
- Bow: Maddie Agudelo
Third Varsity Eight:
- Coxswain: Shelby Bavin
- Stroke: Savannah Cogan
- 7: Anna Schrieber
- 6: Reilly Katz
- 5: Ryleigh Katstra
- 4: Gabby Fenwick
- 3: Claire Lingle
- 2: Maggie Warren
- Bow: Skylar Gash
Varsity Four:
- Coxswain: Ashlynn McGinn
- Stroke: Helene Dimitrijev
- 3: Lindsay O’Neil
- 2: Dylan Bentley
- Bow: Ayla O’Neill
Second Varsity Four:
- Coxswain: Samara Coakley
- Stroke: Emeline Daley
- 3: Katie Rapaglia
- 2: Hannah Hill
- Bow: Alyssa Fikkers
Conclusion
With this impressive victory under their belts, the Virginia Cavaliers are poised for an exhilarating challenge at the ACC Championships. Rowing fans, keep your eyes peeled for what promises to be a nail-biting competition as the Cavaliers look to extend their impressive legacy.
For more information on rowing events and news, visit USRowing.
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