JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's rowing team kicked off the spring portion of the 2019-20 season on Saturday in a dual against Jacksonville University. The Eagles and Dolphins took part in three races, with the Blue and Gold winning both Varsity Four races and taking second in the Varsity Eight event.
 
The racing conditions were difficult, with a 12-14 mph quartering headwind throughout the day, along with the racing being conducted against the tide.
 
"I'm very pleased with our racing today," Head Coach Jamie Francis said. "The team handled the conditions very well and put down solid performances. The fours did an exceptional job of handling the conditions and made huge improvements compared to last year's race. Thanks to the JU coaches for providing an excellent event. We're coming away with some lessons learned and hope to apply those lessons in the coming weeks as we hurtle into the rest of our spring season."
 
The team of Megan Byrne, Tracey Loeffler, Helena Schmidt, Samantha Fank, and Lauren Stollenwerk won the first Varsity Four race in 8:25.9, besting Jacksonville's "A" boat by 23 seconds and finishing over a minute ahead of JU's "B" boat.
 
In the second Varsity Four race, the boat of Kathryn Chilelli, Alina Gagliola, Alyssa Crystal, Julianna Snider, and Veronika Zdrazil posted an 8:17.1, nearly 30 seconds ahead of the Dolphins' "C" boat (8:44.1) and over 40 seconds of the Jacksonville "D" boat (8:57.3).
 
The Varsity Eight race saw ERAU's team of Maricarin Minnock, Helen Carey, Sofia Lorenzini, Bethany Thompson, Rebecca McBride, Kaya Treder, Alexandra Popielarz, Naomi Brooks, and Rachel Hemsworth finish second in 9:09.3, just seven seconds behind the Dolphins "A" boat (9:02.3) and 25 seconds ahead of the JU "B" boat (9:34.9).
 
The Eagle women will be back in action next Saturday, March 14, when they travel to Miami Shores for the Division II Double Duals hosted by Barry.