April 1, 2000

RALEIGH, N.C.-Changes in technique paid off for North Carolina's varsity rowers on Saturday as they swept their races against Georgetown, but the Hoyas rebounded to take both novice events on Saturday at Lake Wheeler.

The Tar Heel varsity eight, ranked No. 26 in the nation, started out the cool, sunny morning with a UNC victory. Racing into a strong headwind, Carolina got off to a fast start and pulled out to an eight-seat lead in the first 500 meters. The two crews battled seat-for-seat after that, but the Tar Heels were able to maintain their early lead and win with a time of 7:05.35 to Georgetown's 7:10.24.

UNC's second varsity eight was seat-for-seat with Georgetown over the first 300 meters but gradually pulled out to win with a time of 7:31.64 to the Hoyas' 7:42.55.

Both of Carolina's varsity crews benefitted from technical changes made over the past week, producing better speed with longer, more powerful strokes. The varsity eight raced at a rate of 32 strokes per minute while the second varsity eight rowed at a rate of just 30 strokes per minute. In both races, Georgetown's boats rowed at 35-36 strokes per minute.

"With a break in our travel, we've been able to refocus on technique," UNC coach Joel Furtek said. "For both boats, today was a good showing, just what we wanted technically and power-wise. We'll go home happy with these performances."

As is traditional, both UNC crews celebrated victory by sending their coxswains for a swim. Robin Yamakawa and Kristin Miller finished the morning soaked after being thrown into the lake from the dock by their happy teammates.

In novice racing, it was Georgetown's coxswains who took the plunge. In the novice eight, the Hoyas made a strong charge around the 1,000-meter mark and held on for the victory in a time of 7:36.82 to UNC's 7:42.79. In the day's final race, Georgetown's novice lightweight eight (all rowers under 130 pounds) raced to a resounding win against UNC's second novice eight. Georgetown finished with a time of 7:32.37 to Carolina's 8:00.31. "There's no question our novice rowers are disappointed," Furtek said, "but none of us are disappointed by their effort."

With their next competition two weeks away, the Tar Heels now are looking forward to something of a break. Next Saturday will be their first without a race since the spring season began on March 4. "We'll get to relax a little," Furtek said. "It will be good for us to have a week when we aren't preparing to race or travel. We'll just go out and row."

Carolina will compete next at the Southern Intercollegiate Championships, April 15-16 in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Saturday's results

Varsity Eight
UNC 7:05.35
GU 7:10.24

Second Varsity Eight
UNC 7:31.64
GU 7:42.55

Novice Eight
GU 7:36.82
UNC 7:42.79

Second Novice Eight (UNC) vs. Novice Lightweight Eight (GU)
GU 7:32.37
UNC 8:00.31