Nova Southeastern University’s rowing claimed its third-consecutive Sunshine State Conference Championship on Saturday. The Sharks, who battled strong headwinds throughout the two-day competition, totaled 20 points and won both the Varsity 4 and Varsity 8 races, marking the third year they have swept those two events.
“I’m real honored to be coaching this team,” said head coach John Gartin. “The girls, especially the seniors, have developed this team over time. To earn a third championship is a great way for the largest group of seniors to go out, knowing they have accomplished so much with this team over four years.
“The win itself puts us solid in the driver’s seat for a sixth-consecutive NCAA bid,” concluded Gartin.
The Varsity 4 boat of coxswain Heather Clayton (Fr., Mullica Township, N.J.), Lauren McElhenny (Sr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Claire Kurlycheck (Fr., Land O’Lakes, Fla.), Ashley Lofria (Fr., Chesapeake, Va.) and Jessica Sutter (Fr., Miami Beach, Fla.) dominated their heat on Friday in order to advance to Saturday’s finals. The Sharks posted a 9:35.7 performance, defeating Barry by 57 seconds in the race. In the finals, NSU produced a race-winning time of 9:29.6, finishing ahead of Rollins (9:40.5) and Tampa (10:03.0).
“The Varsity 4 had a real good, clean and strong race, “ said Gartin. “They got out front quickly and maintained a strong stroke, consistently pulling away from Rollins."
In the Varsity 8, coxswain Marissa Stickles (So., Jacksonville, Fla.), Rachel Garbaj (Sr., Valrico, Fla.), Amber Bishko (Sr., Orlando, Fla.), Megankate McDonald (Sr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Cindy Fong (Sr., Miami, Fla.), Samantha Moriarty (So., Satellite Beach, Fla.), Kayla Schock (Fr., Roswell, Ga.), Elizabeth Hurley (So., Syracuse, N.Y.), and Emma Jordan (Fr., Sebastian, Fla.) won their heat with a time of 8:10.2 and qualified for the finals.
NSU used a critical final push at the end of the Varsity 8 finals in order to edge out Barry. The Sharks clocked 8:03.5, while Barry was second with a time of 8:05.9 and Florida Tech raced 8:24.2 and was third.
“The Varsity 8 was a real battle,” said Gartin. “All points to Barry for a great race. It was neck-and-neck throughout most of it. Barry made a strong move at about 1,500 meters, but the girls responded with a strong sprint to pull out in front of Barry. Both boats were fast and had a great race, but winning that was a real solid testament to how tough the girls are,” continued Gartin.
Also on Saturday, NSU and Barry took part in a Varsity 4 Combo Race. NSU’s team of coxswain Natalie Chaiser (Jr., Plantation, Fla.), Christie McElhenny (Fr., Egg Harbor Township, N.J.), Kati Corp (Fr. East Grand Rapids, Mich.), Bridget Musto (Fr., Syracuse, N.Y.) and Megan Kim (Jr., Valrico, Fla.) cruised to the win in the event, finishing the race in a time of 9:52.8. Barry completed the race in a time of 11:00.1.
NSU will have about a two-week break before returning to competition at prestigious Dad Vail Regatta on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. The regatta is held on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pa.
SSC Championships – Saturday
Varsity 4 Finals
NSU – 9:29.6
Rollins – 9:40.5
Tampa – 10:03.0
Varsity 8 Finals
NSU – 8:03.5
Barry – 8:05.9
Florida Tech – 8:24.2
Varsity 4 Combo Race
NSU – 9:52.8
Barry – 11:00.1
Final Team Standings
1. NSU – 20 pts.
2. Barry – 13 pts.
3. Rollins – 9 pts.
* Teams that do not compete in both the V4 and V8 events do not earn championship points.