UT Rows With National Powers at SIRA Regatta

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. - The University of Tampa rowing team spent the weekend at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Regatta, which was held at Melton Hill Lake.

The Spartans opened with a first-place finish in the Novice 4+, advancing to the semifinals in the event. Tampa's first-place time was registered at 8:39.20, coming in ahead of Virginia Tech, Emory, North Carolina State and Georgia.

In the Novice 4+ semis, UT clocked a time of 8:35.98 to place fourth. Purdue took first place in the event. The UT team consisted of Kristin Anderson, Kaitlyn Goff, Erica Zerilli and Kiera Fox. The group was coxswained by Carley Donovan.

Tampa also competed in the Lightweight Varsity 4+, placing third with a time of 8:02.22. The Spartans had a group including Melissa Ciesielski, Pollyanna Palhano, Mary Lee Gibson and Cecily Wood. Donovan was the coxswain.

UT will return to competition on April 28 at the 2012 Florida Blue Sunshine State Conference Championships. The event will be held at Canal 54 in Fellsmere, Fla.