Liberty University Club Sports
Head of the Charles
Women’s varsity 4 rowers place in top half of collegiate field at Head of the Charles
10/27/2021 2:45:41 PM | Rowing
Rowing in a field of other American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) boats as well as several from NCAA Division II and III programs, Liberty University’s women’s varsity 4 crew placed 16th out of 32 entries in Sunday’s collegiate 4 event held on the final day of the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, a prestigious race that began in 1865.
“It was really exciting and a very electric atmosphere this weekend because no one had raced there in such a long time,” Liberty Head Coach Debbie Prowse said. “It was extremely well attended, and perfect rowing weather, with temperatures in the low 60s and sunny, and excellent conditions. It is an all-encompassing race that draws people from all over the country and internationally, even some Olympians.”
The Lady Flames lineup featured senior Lindsey Bicknell in the bow, sophomore Callie Perini in the 2 seat, junior Robin Payton in the 3 seat, senior Morgan Schaible at stroke, and senior Timothy Bentz as the coxswain. They completed the 5,000-meter course in 2 minutes, 0.5 seconds.
“We were really happy with that finish,” Prowse said. “We just made it into the top half. That’s what our goal was, and we were able to achieve that, guaranteeing them an automatic entry into next year’s race, which we had to qualify for this year.”
Previously, the women’s varsity 4 had its heat at the season-opening Music City Head Race in Nashville, Tenn., wiped out by thunderstorms on Oct. 3. Those rowers did race with four novice team members in the women’s varsity 8 held earlier in the day along with the Flames’ men’s varsity 4 crew that included freshman David West in the bow seat, senior Morgan O’Connor in the 2 seat, senior Zebediah Foster in the 3 seat, and sophomore stroke Kurt Herbert at stroke, with junior Alyssa Horne serving as coxswain.
Next, Prowse will send that same men’s varsity 4 team, a men’s double tandem of O’Connor and Foster, and a women’s varsity 4 with a lineup to be determined to the Nov. 6 Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Lindsay Bicknell will be unable to attend, so we will do a little seat racing to determine who will fill that spot,” Prowse said, noting that the women’s varsity 4 is a very competitive race at that regatta.
The Flames and Lady Flames will then conclude the fall semester by traveling with their men’s and women’s varsity 4 boats and men’s and women’s novice 8 lineups — including many rowers who will be racing for the first time — to the Nov. 13 Head of the South Regatta on Lake Lanier in Augusta, Ga.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
