Duke Concludes Racing at High Point Rowing Festival

Sunday, October 8

High Point, NC

All Day

Duke University

High Point Rowing Festival

Duke Concludes Racing at High Point Rowing Festival

10/9/2023 1:37:00 PM | Rowing

Full Results

HIGH POINT, N.C. - Duke rowing opened the 2023 fall schedule in strong fashion, competing against the Ukraine women's national team in the High Point Rowing Festival on Oak Hollow Lake Sunday.

The Blue Devils headlined the event, racing five Varsity Eight boats against Ukraine's lone crew for the Lenny Peters Cup. The Ukrainian national team's lineup also featured four members of the women's quadruple sculls boat that earned a gold medal at the 2023 European Rowing Championships in May.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Duke's A and B boats lined up even with Ukraine at the starting line to open the race. The Ukrainians were strong and jumped out to an early lead, but the A and B boats quickly closed the gap.
All three boats were neck-and-neck for the remainder of the course, with the Blue Devils inching ahead with the lead until a collision on the final turn allowed Ukraine to pull away for the victory.
The Blue Devils' B boat clocked a time of 15:32, finishing 12 seconds behind Ukraine, while the A boat finished in 15:44.
The C, D and E boats also stayed competitive during the race, finishing at 15:51, 16:12 and 16:27, respectively.

NOTES

Ten Blue Devils made their collegiate rowing debut in freshmen Niamh Comerford, Vivianne Foley, Avery Packard, Isabella Moreno, Florine Lijesen, Mikaela Voinov, Emmy Panagakis, Luisa Mantilla, Eliza Straayer and Isabel Barrios.
Graduate transfers Elizabeth May, Taylor Robinson, Ellen Ulitsky, Irene Ulitsky, Katie Greed and Sofia Papini also saw action for the first time in the Blue Devil uniform.

QUOTES

"We had an amazing opportunity today. Not only were we able to get a race under our belts and learn from all that entails, but we got to meet, shake hands and celebrate this wonderful sport with the Ukrainian National Team. I can't even imagine how hard it is in their world right now, so to spend the day together was an absolute gift. Hats off to Gene Kininmonth and his club for hosting such a beautiful event. We can't wait to keep getting better tomorrow." – Head Coach Megan Cooke Carcagno on the fall season opening race.