OAK RIDGE, TENN. ? All five of Kansas University’s boats qualified for today’s finals during preliminary-round competition Saturday at the South-Central Regionals.
The Second Varsity Eight boat placed third in its semifinal heat with a time of 7:28.69. Likewise, the First Varsity Eight boat finished second in its semifinal heat in a time of 7:16.68. The times were strong enough to place both boats in the third of four finals heats today.
The Open Four boat crossed the wire in a time of 9:21.26 and will race in the second flight of boats. The Varsity Four boat finished in fifth place in its semifinal heat with a time of 8:02.26 and also will race in the second flight.
The Novice Eight boat narrowly missed a spot in the Grand Final by merely four seconds. Instead, the novice rowers will be a favorite in the Petite Final.
The Novice Eight finished in a time of 7:28.77.
“I think we did as well as we could have expected today,” said Kansas coach Rob Catloth. “This regatta is so difficult. Nine of the top 20 teams in the nation are here, but we did well today and I look for a strong finish tomorrow.”