UT Qualifies For Nationals With Strong Showing At FIRA

SARASOTA, Fla. - The University of Tampa rowing team competed in three races at the annual Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association (FIRA) Championships on Saturday. The Spartans qualified for the Dad Vail Regatta in the Lightweight Four.

The Tampa Lightweight Four team finished in third place as the team of Theresa Osborne, Alicia Thompson, Caitlyn Guthrie, Alyssa Rodriquez and coxswain Samantha Burns qualified the Spartans for the prestigious Dad Vail.

UT also competed in the Novice Four as Anna Burrell, Sasha Jarquin, Nikola Johnson, Caitlyn Guthrie and coxswain Nathalia Pirela Severyn each competed. The Varsity 2X (double) team finished in fifth place as Alissa Price and Emily Harbaugh made up the boat.

"After our third place finish, I believe that we have a great chance to do well at the national level," says head coach Bill Dunlap. "We have been competing against the toughest competition in the country as it just so happens that they are all in Florida. Although it was a third place finish, we were still able to stick with the big teams that are favored at nationals."

Tampa is back in action on Saturday as it competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association (SIRA) Championships. The event will be held at Oak Ridge, Tenn.