Texas rowing caps off season with journey to Henley Royal Regatta

Texas rowing traveled throughout the pond to take part within the Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames, England. The reigning Massive 12 Champions competed in a number of of the regatta’s problem cups, bringing contemporary competitors to the two-time NCAA Champions. 

First held in 1839, the Henley Royal Regatta is “probably the most prestigious regatta on this planet,” based on its web site. Races are held on the River Thames, one in all London’s major sights. 

“The Henley Royal Regatta is among the most historic races within the sport of rowing,” graduate pupil Etta Carpender stated. “The importance is simply that it’s so outdated and so iconic, and it’s simply such an honor to race in (the regatta).” 

After ending fourth within the NCAA season, Texas took two groups to 2 totally different ranges of the regatta. One workforce competed within the Remenham Problem Cup, the best division, and the second workforce competed within the Island Problem Cup, the second division. 

The Remenham Problem Cup featured elite competitors from a number of nationwide groups. Texas competed in opposition to “Leander Membership ‘A,’” Nice Britain’s Olympic hopeful boat that gained the World Rowing Cup III competitors one week after the regatta. The Longhorns fell to the Leander boat within the semifinals, trailing one and a half lengths behind.

“That is the very best of the very best on the world stage for senior groups,” senior Anna Jensen stated. “It was positively powerful competitors, and we had been one of many youthful groups there.” 

Whereas the competitors was powerful, the Longhorns entered the regatta to have enjoyable. After a less-than-ideal end on the NCAA nationwide championships, the occasion helped Texas face new competitors and revel in per week of rowing. 

As one of many greatest sporting occasions in England, the regatta attracts many followers who line all the course to see the motion. For athletes, the most important shock was the help Texas obtained throughout the Atlantic Ocean. 

“Numerous us had been saying that we felt like soccer and basketball gamers due to the best way the whole lot is about up and the hassle they put into rowing,” Carpender stated. “There was a crowd of individuals all alongside the 2K course, and everybody was tremendous excited to see Texas.” 

Below the NCAA rule permitting groups to compete in a single worldwide competitors each 4 years, head coach Dave O’Neil determined to affix the Henley Royal Regatta for the primary time. The uncharted waters allowed athletes to realize a brand new perspective on rowing after falling wanting a 3rd straight nationwide championship. 

“It was actually cool to finish our season at Henley as a result of we didn’t finish our common season how we had hoped,” Jensen stated. “Having one other alternative to get again on the market and race some actually good competitors and do rather well in opposition to them was nice for exhibiting what Texas is able to and proving to ourselves what we’re able to.”