Crew teams wrap up a weekend of successful races

The women's rowing Varsity Eight A boat finished in the top 10 at the world renowned Head of Charles in Boston, Saturday. The Hoosiers made an impressive first time appearance in the Regatta. \nIU was one of 55 boats competing in the Club Eight event and finished with a time of 17:54.79, for a 10th place finish overall. \n"The girls are happy," coach Mark Wilson said. "They were excited with the row and knew they could get top 15, but I told them they should be able to get top 10 and that is exactly what they did."\nSophomore Margaret Shelsy; juniors Danielle Bird, Megan Bay, Emily Rumschlag, Stephanie Mast, Erin Koers and Becky England; and seniors Beth Lund and Amy Roble were in Boston for the event. The rest of the Hoosier squad was at the Head of the Eagle in Indianapolis.\nThe remaining varsity competed in the Open Eight for a second place finish, with a time of 13:47.\n"The girls felt as if they had a good row," said assistant coach Rob McCracken. "They thought it could have been better and I thought it could have been too, but that is demanding perfection."\nThe Varsity was also victorious in the Quad. Freshman Kate Gordon, sophomore Emily Patzer, junior Katie Fitzgerald and senior Eliza Peoples rowed the course in 14:16.\n"The Quad was good," Fitzgerald said. "It was not as good as the one from the Head of the Rock, but we did row well and it felt great."\nThe varsity also competed in the Mixed Eight with the IU men's club team. The Hoosiers entered three boats in the race and finished first, second and fourth place. \n"The Mixed Eight was probably the most fun I have ever had rowing," Peoples said.\nThe Novice squad competed in the women's Four and the Eight at the Head of the Eagle. The Novice Eight finished fourth with a time of 14:08 and the Novice Four finished second with a time of 15:33.\n"Overall it was a great day for racing," McCracken said.