Rowing wraps up season with Lake Lemon intrasquad race

The Indiana women's rowing team wrapped up their fall season on a lighthearted note this weekend at Lake Lemon with its fourth annual Intrasquad Class Race Classic and the dedication of a new boat. \n"The races were really fun and exciting. It wasn't really intense, and it was fun for us to end the season on that note," said freshman Laura Jones. \nThe day began with the christening of the new $33,000 Resolute boat in honor of two-time Olympic medalist and Bloomington native Missy Schwen Ryan. Although Ryan wasn't present at the christening because she was due to give birth this week, her parents attended and told the Hoosiers about her experiences rowing in Bloomington. The women's varsity crew will begin rowing in the new boat this spring. \nAfter the dedication, crews geared up to race against each other in two semi-final heats and a final. The first alumni crew defeated the two freshman boats in the first heat, edging out the second place finishers by half of a boat length. In the second heat, the sophomore boat beat out the mixed "senior" boat, which was composed of rowers from all classes. Because of a collision during the race, the alumni boat in the second heat got third place. \nThe sophomores claimed victory again in the final, finishing five seconds before the freshman boat. The second alumni boat crossed the line in third, trailed by the mixed junior/senior boat that, because of a technical mistake, fell behind the pack. \nEach year during the Class Race Classic, different classes dress in themed costumes, said senior Dana Powell. This year's themes included "Top Gun", a carrot, a rainbow and the 1980s. \n"It was a fun race and a good opportunity to get to know our novices," Powell said. "It's also fun to catch up with the alumni"