2013 SSC Rowing Championship Slated For Friday in Sarasota

ORLANDO, Fla. - The 2013 Sunshine State Conference Rowing Championship will be contested on Friday, April 26, at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Fla.

Barry, Florida Tech, Nova Southeastern, and Tampa will vie for the SSC title. Rollins will field a Varsity 8 boat, while each of the other four participants will enter both a Varsity 8 and a Varsity 4 crew.

After a number of years at Canal 54 in Fellsmere, the SSC regatta changes venues to a new, state-of-the-art rowing facility at Nathan Benderson Park. The venue features a 2,000 meter sprint course a "regatta island" that contains grand stand for spectator viewing.

The regatta will begin with an exhibition race for the second and third Four boats at 8:45 a.m. At 9 a.m., the Varsity 4 boats will take the water for their championship. At 9:15, the Varsity 8 championship will be contested.

The overall SSC Championship winner, Four and Eight race winners, and the All-SSC Team will be recognized in an awards ceremony at 10 a.m.

In this week's US Rowing Coaches Poll, Barry is ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II. Nova Southeastern sits right behind the Buccaneers at No. 3, and Florida Tech is No. 8.

In the latest NCAA DII South Region Rankings, the Barry Varsity 4 is ranked second, while the NSU Four is ranked third. In the regional Eight rankings, Barry holds the top spot, followed by the Sharks in second, Tech in fourth, and Rollins fifth. Barry also holds the top spot in the overall team regional rankings, while NSU is tied with Central Oklahoma for second.

Fans are welcome to attend the SSC Championship. While there is no admission charge for the championship, itself, Nathan Benderson Park may charge a $5 fee per car to drive onto "regatta island" to access the spectator grand stands. Nathan Benderson Park is located at 2500 North Honore Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34235.

Direction to the regatta island from the NORTH:
. From I-75 take University Parkway, Exit 213
. Drive WEST on University Parkway approx. 0.3 miles
. Turn SOUTH (left) onto North Cattlemen Road (traffic light)
. Drive approx 0.5 miles, following signs and pass thru 3 traffic circles
. Continue SOUTH on North Cattlemen Road to the regatta island
. Rowing facility will be on your right
. Follow Parking Staff instructions

Direction to the regatta island from the SOUTH:
. From I-75 take Fruitville Road, Exit 210
. Drive WEST on Fruitville Road. approx. 0.2 miles
. Turn NORTH (right) on North Cattlemen Road (traffic light)
. Drive approx 2.2 miles to the regatta island
. Rowing facility will be on your left
. Follow Parking Staff instructions