Tide rowing sweeps UNC in spring opener

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. | The University of Alabama rowing team opened its spring season Saturday with a sweep of the North Carolina Tar Heels on Lake Wheeler.

Alabama won all five races, marking the first time the Crimson Tide has opened the spring with a sweep. Alabama and UNC managed to get the meet in just before a storm blew through the course.

“It was windy out there this morning and we went a little earlier than planned so we could get all the races in and we just did,” Tide coach Larry Davis said. “We really rowed a strong middle in our races, especially the Varsity boats, and that made the difference for us.”

Alabama’s Varsity 8+ posted a 7:13.98 over the 2,000-meter course to beat the Tar Heels’ 7:27.30. The Tide won the Second Varsity 8+ with a time of 7:34.81 to UNC’s 7:41.55. The Tide’s Varsity 4+ won with a time of 8:31.55, bettering the Tarheels by 15 seconds.

“A year ago, in our first race of the spring against Bucknell, our ladies were a little edgy and never really got their rhythm,” Davis said. “With a year under our belt, we were a little more relaxed. We got off the line well and settled in and worked the middle of the course.”

In the Novice 8+, Alabama rowed a 7:51.22, finishing five seconds ahead of UNC “A” boat, 10 seconds ahead of its “B” boat and nearly 20 seconds ahead of its “C” boat. In the Novice 4+, Alabama was more than seven seconds ahead, posting an 8:53.71.

“Today was a good first step to our season,” Davis said. “We need to keep it rolling, but we have a good start point. We’re not where we want to be at the end of the season, but we’re rowing the way we’re supposed to at this point.”

Alabama returns to the water Sunday against Drake in its home opener on the Black Warrior River.