Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
#8 Open Women Honors Senior Class, Prepares For Finale vs. 15th-Ranked USC
May 01, 2015 | Women's Rowing - Open
The Princeton open women will begin their final push to the Ivy League Championships with another nationally ranked showdown on Lake Carnegie. The 15th-ranked USC Trojans will line up against the eighth-ranked Tigers Sunday morning in the final regular season race for both programs.
Princeton has spent a full season taking on ranked competition, and it has helped strengthen the Tigers as they pursue a third straight Ivy League championship. That development has occurred throughout all boat, including a varsity four that defeated both Penn and Dartmouth last weekend.
“Our fours have raced hard these past few weeks, and I think we've proven ourselves strong contenders on the water,” said senior Caroline Barry, who has raced in the top varsity four over the last three weeks. “We're fortunate to have such a competitive group vying for spots in the fours this year. It forces us to push each other in practice every day and familiarizes us with that uncomfortable feeling of going to the line against some relentlessly tough crews.
“The current A4 line-up has a mix of talent, from quick hands to raw strength, and at this point in the season, our goal is to find cohesion and capitalize on it,” she added. “I think we're coming into our own. We're in a good position moving forward, but there's still untapped speed to find.”
The varsity four is 5-4 this season, while the top varsity boat brings a 7-2 record into the weekend.
The Princeton varsity eight will likely be a second seed at the Ivy League Championships, but a win over a high-level boat like USC would certainly help the Tigers carry some momentum to Cooper River.
“We have only a few weekends of in-season racing before Ivies, and cross-conference match-ups are huge opportunities to prove our strength,” Barry said. “Nothing compares to the adrenaline of race day, and maxing out on a 2k with a team like USC in the next lane over has got to be one of the best ways to prepare for a championship regatta.”
While a victory is the top goal any weekend, the Tigers would love to send their Class of 2015 out with one last win on Lake Carnegie this weekend. Since stepping inside the Shea Rowing Center the first time, the Class of 2015 has helped Princeton win two Ivy League Championships, place in the Top 6 at three NCAA Championships and win countless medals throughout the program.
And that doesn't even begin to tell the impact that being part of this program has had on this special class.
“I think being a part of this team has meant more to me with each year,” Barry said. “I walked on as a freshman, couldn't tell starboard from port and had no concept of the hours of labor that lay ahead, but I've learned as much—if not more—from my teammates as in the classroom. They are inspiring, incredible women who lead by doing. I'm excited to row out the season with them.”
WEEKEND HOME RACING SCHEDULE
Saturday, May 2
Princeton Heavyweight Men vs. Brown
8:50 AM - Coxswain Meeting
9:00 AM - Fifth Varsity
9:20 AM - Fourth Varsity
9:40 AM - Third Varsity
10:00 AM - Second Varsity
10:20 AM - First Varsity, Content Cup
Princeton Lightweight Men vs. Columbia & Delaware & Mercyhurst
9:40 AM - Coxswain Meeting
10:40 AM - Fourth, Fifth & Sixth Varsity
10:55 AM - Third Varsity & First Freshmen
11:10 AM - Second Varsity
11:25 AM - First Varsity
Sunday, May 3
Princeton Open Women vs. USC
8:00 AM - Coxswain Meeting
9:00 AM - C & D Fours
9:20 AM - Second & Third Varsity
9:40 AM - A & B Fours
10:00 AM - First Varsity