The third race of the spring season for the North Carolina women’s rowing team provided a new challenge for the racers competing in the Occoquan Sprints this weekend — a challenge that left coach Sarah Haney pleased, and ready for more.
“We were really proud of how our team handled the competition; six boats across from start to finish,” Haney said.
The event in the Occoquan Reservoir, Virginia, marked the first race that was championship style and also the first event that involved six boats racing at one time.
Previously, the Tar Heels competed in races that featured just two boats in the water at the same time.
With championship style races, the team has to finish well during the first heat to make it to the finals.
“We felt really good about what we were able to do and obviously after you qualify and move into the
finals your next goal is to have another successful race,” Haney said. “I felt like we responded well in the second races of the day.
“So for our first time in a championship style race for the year, we felt really good about what our team and our program put out this afternoon.”
For senior varsity rower Carie Mastrianni, the new racing format is more enjoyable despite the added challenge of four extra opponents.
“I think it is a lot more fun because it’s a buoy course and there are just so many people around you, so you have more competition,” she said.